(ii) Abrasive-blasting respirator. A respirator constructed so that
it covers the wearer's head, neck, and shoulders to protect the wearer
from rebounding abrasive.

* * * * *

(5) Personal protective equipment. (i) Employers must use only
respirators approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety
and Health (NIOSH) under 42 CFR part 84 to protect employees from dusts
produced during abrasive-blasting operations.

* * * * *

(iii) Properly fitted particulate-filter respirators, commonly
referred to as dust-filter respirators, may be used for short,
intermittent, or occasional dust exposures such as cleanup, dumping of
dust collectors, or unloading shipments of sand at a receiving point
when it is not feasible to control the dust by enclosure, exhaust
ventilation, or other means. The respirators used must be approved by
NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 for protection against the specific type of
dust encountered.

* * * * *

(iv) For employees who use respirators required by this section,
the employer must implement a respiratory protection program in
accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134.

* * * * *

(6) Air supply and air compressors. Air for abrasive-blasting
respirators must be free of harmful quantities of dusts, mists, or
noxious gases, and must meet the requirements for supplied-air quality
and use specified in 29 CFR 1910.134(i).

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(6) * * *

(iii) (a) When an operator is in a booth downstream from the object
being sprayed, an air-supplied respirator or other type of respirator
must be used by employees that has been approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR
part 84 for the material being sprayed.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(9) * * *

(vi) During the emergencies specified in paragraph (d)(11)(v) of
this section, if employees must be in areas where the concentrations of
air contaminants are greater than the limits set by paragraph
(d)(2)(iii) of this section or the oxygen concentration is less than
19.5 percent, they must use respirators that reduce their exposure to a
level below these limits or that provide adequate oxygen. Such
respirators must also be provided in marked, quickly-accessible storage
compartments built for this purpose when the possibility exists that
hazardous concentrations of air contaminants could be released
accidentally. The respirators must be approved by the NIOSH under 42
CFR part 84, selected by a competent industrial hygienist or other
technically-qualified source, and used in accordance with 29 CFR
1910.134.

* * * * *

Subpart H -- [Amended]

3. The authority citation for subpart H of part 1910 is revised to
read as follows:

4. Section 1910.111 is amended by revising paragraphs (a)(2)(x) and
(b)(10)(ii) as follows:

1910.111 Storage and handling of anhydrous ammonia.

(a) * * *

(2) * * *

(x) Gas masks. Gas masks must be approved by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under 42 CFR part
84 for use with anhydrous ammonia.

* * * * *

(b) * * *

(10) * * *

(ii) Stationary storage installations must have at least two
suitable gas masks in readily-accessible locations. Full-face masks
with ammonia canisters that have been approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR
part 84 are suitable for emergency action involving most anhydrous
ammonia leaks, particularly leaks that occur outdoors. For respiratory
protection in concentrated ammonia atmospheres, a self-contained
breathing apparatus is required.

* * * * *

Subpart I -- [Amended]

5. The authority citation for Subpart I of Part 1910 is revised to
read as follows:

(a) Permissible practice. (1) In the control of those occupational
diseases caused by breathing air contaminated with harmful dusts, fogs,
fumes, mists, gases, smokes, sprays, or vapors, the primary objective
shall be to prevent atmospheric contamination. This shall be
accomplished as far as feasible by accepted engineering control
measures (for example, enclosure or confinement of the operation,
general and local ventilation, and substitution of less toxic
materials). When effective engineering controls are not feasible, or
while they are being instituted, appropriate respirators shall be used
pursuant to this section.

(2) Respirators shall be provided by the employer when such
equipment is necessary to protect the health of the employee. The
employer shall provide the respirators which are applicable and
suitable for the purpose intended. The employer shall be responsible
for the establishment and maintenance of a respiratory protection
program which shall include the requirements outlined in paragraph (c)
of this section.

(b) Definitions. The following definitions are important terms used
in the respiratory protection standard in this section.

Air-purifying respirator means a respirator with an air-purifying
filter, cartridge, or canister that removes specific air contaminants
by passing ambient air through the air-purifying element.

Assigned protection factor (APF) [Reserved]

Atmosphere-supplying respirator means a respirator that supplies
the respirator user with breathing air from a source independent of the
ambient atmosphere, and includes supplied-air respirators (SARs) and
self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) units.

Canister or cartridge means a container with a filter, sorbent, or
catalyst, or combination of these items, which removes specific
contaminants from the air passed through the container.

Demand respirator means an atmosphere-supplying respirator that
admits breathing air to the facepiece only when a negative pressure is
created inside the facepiece by inhalation.

Emergency situation means any occurrence such as, but not limited
to, equipment failure, rupture of containers, or failure of control
equipment that may or does result in an uncontrolled significant
release of an airborne contaminant.

Employee exposure means exposure to a concentration of an airborne
contaminant that would occur if the employee were not using respiratory
protection.

End-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) means a system that warns the
respirator user of the approach of the end of adequate respiratory
protection, for example, that the sorbent is approaching saturation or
is no longer effective.

Escape-only respirator means a respirator intended to be used only
for emergency exit.

Filter or air purifying element means a component used in
respirators to remove solid or liquid aerosols from the inspired air.

Filtering facepiece (dust mask) means a negative pressure
particulate respirator with a filter as an integral part of the
facepiece or with the entire facepiece composed of the filtering
medium.

Fit factor means a quantitative estimate of the fit of a particular
respirator to a specific individual, and typically estimates the ratio
of the concentration of a substance in ambient air to its concentration
inside the respirator when worn.

Fit test means the use of a protocol to qualitatively or
quantitatively evaluate the fit of a respirator on an individual. (See
also Qualitative fit test QLFT and Quantitative fit test QNFT.)

Helmet means a rigid respiratory inlet covering that also provides
head protection against impact and penetration.

High efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter means a filter that
is at least 99.97% efficient in removing monodisperse particles of 0.3
micrometers in diameter. The equivalent NIOSH 42 CFR 84 particulate
filters are the N100, R100, and P100 filters.

Hood means a respiratory inlet covering that completely covers the
head and neck and may also cover portions of the shoulders and torso.

Immediately dangerous to life or health (IDLH) means an atmosphere
that poses an immediate threat to life, would cause irreversible
adverse health effects, or would impair an individual's ability to
escape from a dangerous atmosphere.

Loose-fitting facepiece means a respiratory inlet covering that is
designed to form a partial seal with the face.

Maximum use concentration (MUC) [Reserved].

Negative pressure respirator (tight fitting) means a respirator in
which the air pressure inside the facepiece is negative during
inhalation with respect to the ambient air pressure outside the
respirator.

Physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) means
an individual whose legally permitted scope of practice (i.e., license,
registration, or certification) allows him or her to independently
provide, or be delegated the responsibility to provide, some or all of
the health care services required by paragraph (e) of this section.

Positive pressure respirator means a respirator in which the
pressure inside the respiratory inlet covering exceeds the ambient air
pressure outside the respirator.

Powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) means an air-purifying
respirator that uses a blower to force the ambient air through air-purifying
elements to the inlet covering.

Pressure demand respirator means a positive pressure atmosphere-supplying
respirator that admits breathing air to the facepiece when
the positive pressure is reduced inside the facepiece by inhalation.

Qualitative fit test (QLFT) means a pass/fail fit test to assess
the adequacy of respirator fit that relies on the individual's response
to the test agent.

Quantitative fit test (QNFT) means an assessment of the adequacy of
respirator fit by numerically measuring the amount of leakage into the
respirator.

Respiratory inlet covering means that portion of a respirator that
forms the protective barrier between the user's respiratory tract and
an air-purifying device or breathing air source, or both. It may be a
facepiece, helmet, hood, suit, or a mouthpiece respirator with nose
clamp.

Self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA) means an atmosphere-supplying
respirator for which the breathing air source is designed to be carried by the user.

Service life means the period of time that a respirator, filter or
sorbent, or other respiratory equipment provides adequate protection to
the wearer.

Supplied-air respirator (SAR) or airline respirator means an
atmosphere-supplying respirator for which the source of breathing air
is not designed to be carried by the user.

This section means this respiratory protection standard.

Tight-fitting facepiece means a respiratory inlet covering that
forms a complete seal with the face.

User seal check means an action conducted by the respirator user to
determine if the respirator is properly seated to the face.

(c) Respiratory protection program. This paragraph requires the
employer to develop and implement a written respiratory protection
program with required worksite-specific procedures and elements for
required respirator use. The program must be administered by a suitably
trained program administrator. In addition, certain program elements
may be required for voluntary use to prevent potential hazards
associated with the use of the respirator. The Small Entity Compliance
Guide contains criteria for the selection of a program administrator
and a sample program that meets the requirements of this paragraph.
Copies of the Small Entity Compliance Guide will be available on or
about April 8, 1998 from the Occupational Safety and Health
Administration's Office of Publications, Room N 3101, 200 Constitution
Avenue, NW, Washington, DC, 20210 (202-219-4667).

(1) In any workplace where respirators are necessary to protect the
health of the employee or whenever respirators are required by the
employer, the employer shall establish and implement a written
respiratory protection program with worksite-specific procedures. The
program shall be updated as necessary to reflect those changes in
workplace conditions that affect respirator use. The employer shall
include in the program the following provisions of this section, as
applicable:

(i) Procedures for selecting respirators for use in the workplace;

(ii) Medical evaluations of employees required to use respirators;

(iii) Fit testing procedures for tight-fitting respirators;

(iv) Procedures for proper use of respirators in routine and
reasonably foreseeable emergency situations;

(vi) Procedures to ensure adequate air quality, quantity, and flow
of breathing air for atmosphere-supplying respirators;

(vii) Training of employees in the respiratory hazards to which
they are potentially exposed during routine and emergency situations;

(viii) Training of employees in the proper use of respirators,
including putting on and removing them, any limitations on their use,
and their maintenance; and

(ix) Procedures for regularly evaluating the effectiveness of the
program.

(2) Where respirator use is not required:

(i) An employer may provide respirators at the request of employees
or permit employees to use their own respirators, if the employer
determines that such respirator use will not in itself create a hazard.
If the employer determines that any voluntary respirator use is
permissible, the employer shall provide the respirator users with the
information contained in Appendix D to this section ("Information for
Employees Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard");
and

(ii) In addition, the employer must establish and implement those
elements of a written respiratory protection program necessary to
ensure that any employee using a respirator voluntarily is medically
able to use that respirator, and that the respirator is cleaned,
stored, and maintained so that its use does not present a health hazard
to the user. Exception: Employers are not required to include in a
written respiratory protection program those employees whose only use
of respirators involves the voluntary use of filtering facepieces (dust
masks).

(3) The employer shall designate a program administrator who is
qualified by appropriate training or experience that is commensurate
with the complexity of the program to administer or oversee the
respiratory protection program and conduct the required evaluations of
program effectiveness.

(4) The employer shall provide respirators, training, and medical
evaluations at no cost to the employee.

(d) Selection of respirators. This paragraph requires the employer
to evaluate respiratory hazard(s) in the workplace, identify relevant
workplace and user factors, and base respirator selection on these
factors. The paragraph also specifies appropriately protective
respirators for use in IDLH atmospheres, and limits the selection and
use of air-purifying respirators.

(1) General requirements. (i) The employer shall select and provide
an appropriate respirator based on the respiratory hazard(s) to which
the worker is exposed and workplace and user factors that affect
respirator performance and reliability.

(ii) The employer shall select a NIOSH-certified respirator. The
respirator shall be used in compliance with the conditions of its
certification.

(iii) The employer shall identify and evaluate the respiratory
hazard(s) in the workplace; this evaluation shall include a reasonable
estimate of employee exposures to respiratory hazard(s) and an
identification of the contaminant's chemical state and physical form.
Where the employer cannot identify or reasonably estimate the employee
exposure, the employer shall consider the atmosphere to be IDLH.

(iv) The employer shall select respirators from a sufficient number
of respirator models and sizes so that the respirator is acceptable to,
and correctly fits, the user.

(2) Respirators for IDLH atmospheres. (i) The employer shall
provide the following respirators for employee use in IDLH atmospheres:

(A) A full facepiece pressure demand SCBA certified by NIOSH for a
minimum service life of thirty minutes, or

(ii) Respirators provided only for escape from IDLH atmospheres
shall be NIOSH-certified for escape from the atmosphere in which they
will be used.

(iii) All oxygen-deficient atmospheres shall be considered IDLH.
Exception: If the employer demonstrates that, under all foreseeable
conditions, the oxygen concentration can be maintained within
the ranges specified in Table II of this section (i.e., for the
altitudes set out in the table), then any atmosphere-supplying
respirator may be used.

(3) Respirators for atmospheres that are not IDLH. (i) The employer
shall provide a respirator that is adequate to protect the health of
the employee and ensure compliance with all other OSHA statutory and
regulatory requirements, under routine and reasonably foreseeable
emergency situations.

(A) Assigned Protection Factors (APFs) [Reserved]

(B) Maximum Use Concentration (MUC) [Reserved]

(ii) The respirator selected shall be appropriate for the chemical
state and physical form of the contaminant.

(iii) For protection against gases and vapors, the employer shall
provide:

(A) An atmosphere-supplying respirator, or

(B) An air-purifying respirator, provided that:

(1) The respirator is equipped with an end-of-service-life
indicator (ESLI) certified by NIOSH for the contaminant; or

(2) If there is no ESLI appropriate for conditions in the
employer's workplace, the employer implements a change schedule for
canisters and cartridges that is based on objective information or data
that will ensure that canisters and cartridges are changed before the
end of their service life. The employer shall describe in the
respirator program the information and data relied upon and the basis
for the canister and cartridge change schedule and the basis for
reliance on the data.

(iv) For protection against particulates, the employer shall
provide:

(A) An atmosphere-supplying respirator; or

(B) An air-purifying respirator equipped with a filter certified by
NIOSH under 30 CFR part 11 as a high efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
filter, or an air-purifying respirator equipped with a filter certified
for particulates by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84; or

(C) For contaminants consisting primarily of particles with mass
median aerodynamic diameters (MMAD) of at least 2 micrometers, an air-purifying
respirator equipped with any filter certified for particulates by NIOSH.

TABLE I. -- Assigned Protection Factors [Reserved]

(e) Medical evaluation. Using a respirator may place a
physiological burden on employees that varies with the type of
respirator worn, the job and workplace conditions in which the
respirator is used, and the medical status of the employee.
Accordingly, this paragraph specifies the minimum requirements for
medical evaluation that employers must implement to determine the
employee's ability to use a respirator.

(1) General. The employer shall provide a medical evaluation to
determine the employee's ability to use a respirator, before the
employee is fit tested or required to use the respirator in the
workplace. The employer may discontinue an employee's medical
evaluations when the employee is no longer required to use a
respirator.

(2) Medical evaluation procedures. (i) The employer shall identify
a physician or other licensed health care professional (PLHCP) to
perform medical evaluations using a medical questionnaire or an initial
medical examination that obtains the same information as the medical
questionnaire.

(ii) The medical evaluation shall obtain the information requested
by the questionnaire in Sections 1 and 2, Part A of Appendix C of this
section.

(3) Follow-up medical examination. (i) The employer shall ensure
that a follow-up medical examination is provided for an employee who
gives a positive response to any question among questions 1 through 8
in Section 2, Part A of Appendix C or whose initial medical examination
demonstrates the need for a follow-up medical examination.

(ii) The follow-up medical examination shall include any medical
tests, consultations, or diagnostic procedures that the PLHCP deems
necessary to make a final determination.

(4) Administration of the medical questionnaire and examinations.
(i) The medical questionnaire and examinations shall be administered
confidentially during the employee's normal working hours or at a time
and place convenient to the employee. The medical questionnaire shall
be administered in a manner that ensures that the employee understands
its content.

(ii) The employer shall provide the employee with an opportunity to
discuss the questionnaire and examination results with the PLHCP.

(5) Supplemental information for the PLHCP. (i) The following
information must be provided to the PLHCP before the PLHCP makes a
recommendation concerning an employee's ability to use a respirator:

(A) The type and weight of the respirator to be used by the
employee;

(B) The duration and frequency of respirator use (including use for
rescue and escape);

(C) The expected physical work effort;

(D) Additional protective clothing and equipment to be worn; and

(E) Temperature and humidity extremes that may be encountered.

(ii) Any supplemental information provided previously to the PLHCP
regarding an employee need not be provided for a subsequent medical
evaluation if the information and the PLHCP remain the same.

(iii) The employer shall provide the PLHCP with a copy of the
written respiratory protection program and a copy of this section.

Note to Paragraph (e)(5)(iii): When the employer replaces a
PLHCP, the employer must ensure that the new PLHCP obtains this
information, either by providing the documents directly to the PLHCP
or having the documents transferred from the former PLHCP to the new
PLHCP. However, OSHA does not expect employers to have employees
medically reevaluated solely because a new PLHCP has been selected.

(6) Medical determination. In determining the employee's ability to
use a respirator, the employer shall:

(i) Obtain a written recommendation regarding the employee's
ability to use the respirator from the PLHCP. The recommendation shall
provide only the following information:

(A) Any limitations on respirator use related to the medical
condition of the employee, or relating to the workplace conditions in
which the respirator will be used, including whether or not the
employee is medically able to use the respirator;

(B) The need, if any, for follow-up medical evaluations; and

(C) A statement that the PLHCP has provided the employee with a
copy of the PLHCP's written recommendation.

(ii) If the respirator is a negative pressure respirator and the
PLHCP finds a medical condition that may place the employee's health at
increased risk if the respirator is used, the employer shall provide a
PAPR if the PLHCP's medical evaluation finds that the employee can use
such a respirator; if a subsequent medical evaluation finds that the
employee is medically able to use a negative pressure respirator, then
the employer is no longer required to provide a PAPR.

(7) Additional medical evaluations. At a minimum, the employer
shall provide additional medical evaluations that comply with the
requirements of this section if:

(i) An employee reports medical signs or symptoms that are related
to ability to use a respirator;

(ii) A PLHCP, supervisor, or the respirator program administrator
informs the employer that an employee needs to be reevaluated;

(iii) Information from the respiratory protection program,
including observations made during fit testing and program evaluation,
indicates a need for employee reevaluation; or

(iv) A change occurs in workplace conditions (e.g., physical work
effort, protective clothing, temperature) that may result in a
substantial increase in the physiological burden placed on an employee.

(f) Fit testing. This paragraph requires that, before an employee
may be required to use any respirator with a negative or positive
pressure tight-fitting facepiece, the employee must be fit tested with
the same make, model, style, and size of respirator that will be used.
This paragraph specifies the kinds of fit tests allowed, the procedures
for conducting them, and how the results of the fit tests must be used.

(1) The employer shall ensure that employees using a tight-fitting
facepiece respirator pass an appropriate qualitative fit test (QLFT) or
quantitative fit test (QNFT) as stated in this paragraph.

(2) The employer shall ensure that an employee using a tight-fitting
facepiece respirator is fit tested prior to initial use of the
respirator, whenever a different respirator facepiece (size, style,
model or make) is used, and at least annually thereafter.

(3) The employer shall conduct an additional fit test whenever the
employee reports, or the employer, PLHCP, supervisor, or program
administrator makes visual observations of, changes in the employee's
physical condition that could affect respirator fit. Such conditions
include, but are not limited to, facial scarring, dental changes,
cosmetic surgery, or an obvious change in body weight.

(4) If after passing a QLFT or QNFT, the employee subsequently
notifies the employer, program administrator, supervisor, or PLHCP that
the fit of the respirator is unacceptable, the employee shall be given
a reasonable opportunity to select a different respirator facepiece and
to be retested.

(5) The fit test shall be administered using an OSHA-accepted QLFT
or QNFT protocol. The OSHA-accepted QLFT and QNFT protocols and
procedures are contained in Appendix A of this section.

(6) QLFT may only be used to fit test negative pressure air-purifying
respirators that must achieve a fit factor of 100 or less.

(7) If the fit factor, as determined through an OSHA-accepted QNFT
protocol, is equal to or greater than 100 for tight-fitting half
facepieces, or equal to or greater than 500 for tight-fitting full
facepieces, the QNFT has been passed with that respirator.

(8) Fit testing of tight-fitting atmosphere-supplying respirators
and tight-fitting powered air-purifying respirators shall be
accomplished by performing quantitative or qualitative fit testing in
the negative pressure mode, regardless of the mode of operation
(negative or positive pressure) that is used for respiratory
protection.

(i) Qualitative fit testing of these respirators shall be
accomplished by temporarily converting the respirator user's actual
facepiece into a negative pressure respirator with appropriate filters,
or by using an identical negative pressure air-purifying respirator
facepiece with the same sealing surfaces as a surrogate for the
atmosphere-supplying or powered air-purifying respirator facepiece.

(ii) Quantitative fit testing of these respirators shall be
accomplished by modifying the facepiece to allow sampling inside the
facepiece in the breathing zone of the user, midway between the nose
and mouth. This requirement shall be accomplished by installing a
permanent sampling probe onto a surrogate facepiece, or by using a
sampling adapter designed to temporarily provide a means of sampling
air from inside the facepiece.

(iii) Any modifications to the respirator facepiece for fit testing
shall be completely removed, and the facepiece restored to NIOSH-approved
configuration, before that facepiece can be used in the workplace.

(g) Use of respirators. This paragraph requires employers to
establish and implement procedures for the proper use of respirators.
These requirements include prohibiting conditions that may result in
facepiece seal leakage, preventing employees from removing respirators
in hazardous environments, taking actions to ensure continued effective
respirator operation throughout the work shift, and establishing
procedures for the use of respirators in IDLH atmospheres or in
interior structural firefighting situations.

(1) Facepiece seal protection. (i) The employer shall not permit
respirators with tight-fitting facepieces to be worn by employees who
have:

(A) Facial hair that comes between the sealing surface of the
facepiece and the face or that interferes with valve function; or

(B) Any condition that interferes with the face-to-facepiece seal
or valve function.

(ii) If an employee wears corrective glasses or goggles or other
personal protective equipment, the employer shall ensure that such
equipment is worn in a manner that does not interfere with the seal of
the facepiece to the face of the user.

(iii) For all tight-fitting respirators, the employer shall ensure
that employees perform a user seal check each time they put on the
respirator using the procedures in Appendix B-1 or procedures
recommended by the respirator manufacturer that the employer
demonstrates are as effective as those in Appendix B-1 of this section.

(2) Continuing respirator effectiveness. (i) Appropriate
surveillance shall be maintained of work area conditions and degree of
employee exposure or stress. When there is a change in work area
conditions or degree of employee exposure or stress that may affect
respirator effectiveness, the employer shall reevaluate the continued
effectiveness of the respirator.

(ii) The employer shall ensure that employees leave the respirator
use area:

(A) To wash their faces and respirator facepieces as necessary to
prevent eye or skin irritation associated with respirator use; or

(B) If they detect vapor or gas breakthrough, changes in breathing
resistance, or leakage of the facepiece; or

(C) To replace the respirator or the filter, cartridge, or canister
elements.

(iii) If the employee detects vapor or gas breakthrough, changes in
breathing resistance, or leakage of the facepiece, the employer must
replace or repair the respirator before allowing the employee to return
to the work area.

(i) One employee or, when needed, more than one employee is located
outside the IDLH atmosphere;

(ii) Visual, voice, or signal line communication is maintained
between the employee(s) in the IDLH atmosphere and the employee(s)
located outside the IDLH atmosphere;

(iii) The employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmosphere are
trained and equipped to provide effective emergency rescue;

(iv) The employer or designee is notified before the employee(s)
located outside the IDLH atmosphere enter the IDLH atmosphere to
provide emergency rescue;

(v) The employer or designee authorized to do so by the employer,
once notified, provides necessary assistance appropriate to the
situation;

(vi) Employee(s) located outside the IDLH atmospheres are equipped
with:

(A) Pressure demand or other positive pressure SCBAs, or a pressure
demand or other positive pressure supplied-air respirator with
auxiliary SCBA; and either

(B) Appropriate retrieval equipment for removing the employee(s)
who enter(s) these hazardous atmospheres where retrieval equipment
would contribute to the rescue of the employee(s) and would not
increase the overall risk resulting from entry; or

(C) Equivalent means for rescue where retrieval equipment is not
required under paragraph (g)(3)(vi)(B).

(4) Procedures for interior structural firefighting. In addition to
the requirements set forth under paragraph (g)(3), in interior
structural fires, the employer shall ensure that:

(i) At least two employees enter the IDLH atmosphere and remain in
visual or voice contact with one another at all times;

(ii) At least two employees are located outside the IDLH
atmosphere; and

(iii) All employees engaged in interior structural firefighting use
SCBAs.

Note 1 to paragraph (g): One of the two individuals located
outside the IDLH atmosphere may be assigned to an additional role,
such as incident commander in charge of the emergency or safety
officer, so long as this individual is able to perform assistance or
rescue activities without jeopardizing the safety or health of any
firefighter working at the incident.

Note 2 to paragraph (g): Nothing in this section is meant to
preclude firefighters from performing emergency rescue activities
before an entire team has assembled.

(h) Maintenance and care of respirators. This paragraph requires
the employer to provide for the cleaning and disinfecting, storage,
inspection, and repair of respirators used by employees.

(1) Cleaning and disinfecting. The employer shall provide each
respirator user with a respirator that is clean, sanitary, and in good
working order. The employer shall ensure that respirators are cleaned
and disinfected using the procedures in Appendix B-2 of this section,
or procedures recommended by the respirator manufacturer, provided that
such procedures are of equivalent effectiveness. The respirators shall
be cleaned and disinfected at the following intervals:

(i) Respirators issued for the exclusive use of an employee shall
be cleaned and disinfected as often as necessary to be maintained in a
sanitary condition;

(ii) Respirators issued to more than one employee shall be cleaned
and disinfected before being worn by different individuals;

(iii) Respirators maintained for emergency use shall be cleaned and
disinfected after each use; and

(iv) Respirators used in fit testing and training shall be cleaned
and disinfected after each use.

(2) Storage. The employer shall ensure that respirators are stored
as follows:

(i) All respirators shall be stored to protect them from damage,
contamination, dust, sunlight, extreme temperatures, excessive
moisture, and damaging chemicals, and they shall be packed or stored to
prevent deformation of the facepiece and exhalation valve.

(ii) In addition to the requirements of paragraph (h)(2)(i) of this
section, emergency respirators shall be:

(A) Kept accessible to the work area;

(B) Stored in compartments or in covers that are clearly marked as
containing emergency respirators; and

(C) Stored in accordance with any applicable manufacturer
instructions.

(3) Inspection. (i) The employer shall ensure that respirators are
inspected as follows:

(A) All respirators used in routine situations shall be inspected
before each use and during cleaning;

(B) All respirators maintained for use in emergency situations
shall be inspected at least monthly and in accordance with the
manufacturer's recommendations, and shall be checked for proper
function before and after each use; and

(C) Emergency escape-only respirators shall be inspected before
being carried into the workplace for use.

(ii) The employer shall ensure that respirator inspections include
the following:

(A) A check of respirator function, tightness of connections, and
the condition of the various parts including, but not limited to, the
facepiece, head straps, valves, connecting tube, and cartridges,
canisters or filters; and

(B) A check of elastomeric parts for pliability and signs of
deterioration.

(iii) In addition to the requirements of paragraphs (h)(3)(i) and
(ii) of this section, self-contained breathing apparatus shall be
inspected monthly. Air and oxygen cylinders shall be maintained in a
fully charged state and shall be recharged when the pressure falls to
90% of the manufacturer's recommended pressure level. The employer
shall determine that the regulator and warning devices function
properly.

(iv) For respirators maintained for emergency use, the employer
shall:

(A) Certify the respirator by documenting the date the inspection
was performed, the name (or signature) of the person who made the
inspection, the findings, required remedial action, and a serial number
or other means of identifying the inspected respirator; and

(B) Provide this information on a tag or label that is attached to
the storage compartment for the respirator, is kept with the
respirator, or is included in inspection reports stored as paper or
electronic files. This information shall be maintained until replaced
following a subsequent certification.

(4) Repairs. The employer shall ensure that respirators that fail
an inspection or are otherwise found to be defective are removed from
service, and are discarded or repaired or adjusted in accordance with
the following procedures:

(i) Repairs or adjustments to respirators are to be made only by
persons appropriately trained to perform such operations and shall use
only the respirator manufacturer's NIOSH-approved parts designed for
the respirator;

(ii) Repairs shall be made according to the manufacturer's
recommendations and specifications for the type and extent of repairs
to be performed; and

(iii) Reducing and admission valves, regulators, and alarms shall
be adjusted or repaired only by the manufacturer or a technician
trained by the manufacturer.

(i) Breathing air quality and use. This paragraph requires the
employer to provide employees using atmosphere-supplying respirators
(supplied-air and SCBA) with breathing gases of high purity.

(1) The employer shall ensure that compressed air, compressed
oxygen, liquid air, and liquid oxygen used for respiration accords with
the following specifications:

(i) Compressed and liquid oxygen shall meet the United States
Pharmacopoeia requirements for medical or breathing oxygen; and

(ii) Compressed breathing air shall meet at least the requirements
for Type 1-Grade D breathing air described in ANSI/Compressed Gas
Association Commodity Specification for Air, G-7.1-1989, to include:

(A) Oxygen content (v/v) of 19.5-23.5%;

(B) Hydrocarbon (condensed) content of 5 milligrams per cubic meter
of air or less;

(C) Carbon monoxide (CO) content of 10 ppm or less;

(D) Carbon dioxide content of 1,000 ppm or less; and

(E) Lack of noticeable odor.

(2) The employer shall ensure that compressed oxygen is not used in
atmosphere-supplying respirators that have previously used compressed
air.

(3) The employer shall ensure that oxygen concentrations greater
than 23.5% are used only in equipment designed for oxygen service or
distribution.

(4) The employer shall ensure that cylinders used to supply
breathing air to respirators meet the following requirements:

(i) Cylinders are tested and maintained as prescribed in the
Shipping Container Specification Regulations of the Department of
Transportation (49 CFR part 173 and part 178);

(ii) Cylinders of purchased breathing air have a certificate of
analysis from the supplier that the breathing air meets the
requirements for Type 1 -- Grade D breathing air; and

(iii) The moisture content in the cylinder does not exceed a dew
point of -50 deg.F (-45.6 deg.C) at 1 atmosphere pressure.

(5) The employer shall ensure that compressors used to supply
breathing air to respirators are constructed and situated so as to:

(i) Prevent entry of contaminated air into the air-supply system;

(ii) Minimize moisture content so that the dew point at 1
atmosphere pressure is 10 degrees F (5.56 deg.C) below the ambient
temperature;

(iii) Have suitable in-line air-purifying sorbent beds and filters
to further ensure breathing air quality. Sorbent beds and filters shall
be maintained and replaced or refurbished periodically following the
manufacturer's instructions.

(iv) Have a tag containing the most recent change date and the
signature of the person authorized by the employer to perform the
change. The tag shall be maintained at the compressor.

(6) For compressors that are not oil-lubricated, the employer shall
ensure that carbon monoxide levels in the breathing air do not exceed
10 ppm.

(7) For oil-lubricated compressors, the employer shall use a high-temperature
or carbon monoxide alarm, or both, to monitor carbon
monoxide levels. If only high-temperature alarms are used, the air
supply shall be monitored at intervals sufficient to prevent carbon
monoxide in the breathing air from exceeding 10 ppm.

(8) The employer shall ensure that breathing air couplings are
incompatible with outlets for nonrespirable worksite air or other gas
systems. No asphyxiating substance shall be introduced into breathing
air lines.

(j) Identification of filters, cartridges, and canisters. The
employer shall ensure that all filters, cartridges and canisters used
in the workplace are labeled and color coded with the NIOSH approval
label and that the label is not removed and remains legible.

(k) Training and information. This paragraph requires the employer
to provide effective training to employees who are required to use
respirators. The training must be comprehensive, understandable, and
recur annually, and more often if necessary. This paragraph also
requires the employer to provide the basic information on respirators
in Appendix D of this section to employees who wear respirators when
not required by this section or by the employer to do so.

(1) The employer shall ensure that each employee can demonstrate
knowledge of at least the following:

(i) Why the respirator is necessary and how improper fit, usage, or
maintenance can compromise the protective effect of the respirator;

(ii) What the limitations and capabilities of the respirator are;

(iii) How to use the respirator effectively in emergency
situations, including situations in which the respirator malfunctions;

(iv) How to inspect, put on and remove, use, and check the seals of
the respirator;

(v) What the procedures are for maintenance and storage of the
respirator;

(vi) How to recognize medical signs and symptoms that may limit or
prevent the effective use of respirators; and

(vii) The general requirements of this section.

(2) The training shall be conducted in a manner that is
understandable to the employee.

(3) The employer shall provide the training prior to requiring the
employee to use a respirator in the workplace.

(4) An employer who is able to demonstrate that a new employee has
received training within the last 12 months that addresses the elements
specified in paragraph (k)(1)(i) through (vii) is not required to
repeat such training provided that, as required by paragraph (k)(1),
the employee can demonstrate knowledge of those element(s). Previous
training not repeated initially by the employer must be provided no
later than 12 months from the date of the previous training.

(5) Retraining shall be administered annually, and when the
following situations occur:

(i) Changes in the workplace or the type of respirator render
previous training obsolete;

(ii) Inadequacies in the employee's knowledge or use of the
respirator indicate that the employee has not retained the requisite
understanding or skill; or

(iii) Any other situation arises in which retraining appears
necessary to ensure safe respirator use.

(6) The basic advisory information on respirators, as presented in
Appendix D of this section, shall be provided by the employer in any
written or oral format, to employees who wear respirators when such use
is not required by this section or by the employer.

(l) Program evaluation. This section requires the employer to
conduct evaluations of the workplace to ensure that the written
respiratory protection program is being properly implemented, and to
consult employees to ensure that they are using the respirators
properly.

(1) The employer shall conduct evaluations of the workplace as
necessary to ensure that the provisions of the current written program
are being effectively implemented and that it continues to be
effective.

(2) The employer shall regularly consult employees required to use
respirators to assess the employees' views on program effectiveness and
to identify any problems. Any problems that are identified during this
assessment shall be corrected. Factors to be assessed include, but are
not limited to:

(i) Respirator fit (including the ability to use the respirator
without interfering with effective workplace performance);

(ii) Appropriate respirator selection for the hazards to which the
employee is exposed;

(iii) Proper respirator use under the workplace conditions the
employee encounters; and

(iv) Proper respirator maintenance.

(m) Recordkeeping. This section requires the employer to establish
and retain written information regarding medical evaluations, fit
testing, and the respirator program. This information will facilitate
employee involvement in the respirator program, assist the employer in
auditing the adequacy of the program, and provide a record for
compliance determinations by OSHA.

(1) Medical evaluation. Records of medical evaluations required by
this section must be retained and made available in accordance with 29
CFR 1910.1020.

(2) Fit testing. (i) The employer shall establish a record of the
qualitative and quantitative fit tests administered to an employee
including:

(A) The name or identification of the employee tested;

(B) Type of fit test performed;

(C) Specific make, model, style, and size of respirator tested;

(D) Date of test; and

(E) The pass/fail results for QLFTs or the fit factor and strip
chart recording or other recording of the test results for QNFTs.

(ii) Fit test records shall be retained for respirator users until
the next fit test is administered.

(3) A written copy of the current respirator program shall be
retained by the employer.

(4) Written materials required to be retained under this paragraph
shall be made available upon request to affected employees and to the
Assistant Secretary or designee for examination and copying.

(n) Dates. (1) Effective date. This section is effective April 8,
1998. The obligations imposed by this section commence on the effective
date unless otherwise noted in this paragraph. Compliance with
obligations that do not commence on the effective date shall occur no
later than the applicable start-up date.

(2) Compliance dates. All obligations of this section commence on
the effective date except as follows:

(i) The determination that respirator use is required (paragraph
(a)) shall be completed no later than September 8, 1998.

(ii) Compliance with provisions of this section for all other
provisions shall be completed no later than October 5, 1998.

(3) The provisions of 29 CFR 1910.134 and 29 CFR 1926.103,
contained in the 29 CFR parts 1900 to 1910.99 and the 29 CFR part 1926
editions, revised as of July 1, 1997, are in effect and enforceable
until April 8, 1998, or during any administrative or judicial stay of
the provisions of this section.

(4) Existing Respiratory Protection Programs. If, in the 12 month
period preceding April 8, 1998, the employer has conducted annual
respirator training, fit testing, respirator program evaluation, or
medical evaluations, the employer may use the results of those
activities to comply with the corresponding provisions of this section,
providing that these activities were conducted in a manner that meets
the requirements of this section.

(2) Appendix D of this section is non-mandatory and is not intended
to create any additional obligations not otherwise imposed or to
detract from any existing obligations.

Appendix A to Sec. 1910.134: Fit Testing Procedures (Mandatory)

Part I. OSHA-Accepted Fit Test Protocols

A. Fit Testing Procedures -- General Requirements

The employer shall conduct fit testing using the following
procedures. The requirements in this appendix apply to all OSHA-accepted
fit test methods, both QLFT and QNFT.

1. The test subject shall be allowed to pick the most acceptable
respirator from a sufficient number of respirator models and sizes
so that the respirator is acceptable to, and correctly fits, the
user.

2. Prior to the selection process, the test subject shall be
shown how to put on a respirator, how it should be positioned on the
face, how to set strap tension and how to determine an acceptable
fit. A mirror shall be available to assist the subject in evaluating
the fit and positioning of the respirator. This instruction may not
constitute the subject's formal training on respirator use, because
it is only a review.

3. The test subject shall be informed that he/she is being asked
to select the respirator that provides the most acceptable fit. Each
respirator represents a different size and shape, and if fitted and
used properly, will provide adequate protection.

4. The test subject shall be instructed to hold each chosen
facepiece up to the face and eliminate those that obviously do not
give an acceptable fit.

5. The more acceptable facepieces are noted in case the one
selected proves unacceptable; the most comfortable mask is donned
and worn at least five minutes to assess comfort. Assistance in
assessing comfort can be given by discussing the points in the
following item A.6. If the test subject is not familiar with using a
particular respirator, the test subject shall be directed to don the
mask several times and to adjust the straps each time to become
adept at setting proper tension on the straps.

6. Assessment of comfort shall include a review of the following
points with the test subject and allowing the test subject adequate
time to determine the comfort of the respirator:

(a) Position of the mask on the nose

(b) Room for eye protection

(c) Room to talk

(d) Position of mask on face and cheeks

7. The following criteria shall be used to help determine the
adequacy of the respirator fit:

(a) Chin properly placed;

(b) Adequate strap tension, not overly tightened;

(c) Fit across nose bridge;

(d) Respirator of proper size to span distance from nose to
chin;

(e) Tendency of respirator to slip;

(f) Self-observation in mirror to evaluate fit and respirator
position.

8. The test subject shall conduct a user seal check, either the
negative and positive pressure seal checks described in Appendix B-1
of this section or those recommended by the respirator manufacturer
which provide equivalent protection to the procedures in Appendix B-1.
Before conducting the negative and positive pressure checks, the
subject shall be told to seat the mask on the face by moving the
head from side-to-side and up and down slowly while taking in a few
slow deep breaths. Another facepiece shall be selected and retested
if the test subject fails the user seal check tests.

9. The test shall not be conducted if there is any hair growth
between the skin and the facepiece sealing surface, such as stubble
beard growth, beard, mustache or sideburns which cross the
respirator sealing surface. Any type of apparel which interferes
with a satisfactory fit shall be altered or removed.

10. If a test subject exhibits difficulty in breathing during
the tests, she or he shall be referred to a physician or other
licensed health care professional, as appropriate, to determine
whether the test subject can wear a respirator while performing her
or his duties.

11. If the employee finds the fit of the respirator
unacceptable, the test subject shall be given the opportunity to
select a different respirator and to be retested.

12. Exercise regimen. Prior to the commencement of the fit test,
the test subject shall be given a description of the fit test and
the test subject's responsibilities during the test procedure. The
description of the process shall include a description of the test
exercises that the subject will be performing. The respirator to be
tested shall be worn for at least 5 minutes before the start of the
fit test.

13. The fit test shall be performed while the test subject is
wearing any applicable safety equipment that may be worn during
actual respirator use which could interfere with respirator fit.

14. Test Exercises. (a) The following test exercises are to be
performed for all fit testing methods prescribed in this appendix,
except for the CNP method. A separate fit testing exercise regimen
is contained in the CNP protocol. The test subject shall perform
exercises, in the test environment, in the following manner:

(2) Deep breathing. In a normal standing position, the subject
shall breathe slowly and deeply, taking caution so as not to
hyperventilate.

(3) Turning head side to side. Standing in place, the subject
shall slowly turn his/her head from side to side between the extreme
positions on each side. The head shall be held at each extreme
momentarily so the subject can inhale at each side.

(4) Moving head up and down. Standing in place, the subject
shall slowly move his/her head up and down. The subject shall be
instructed to inhale in the up position (i.e., when looking toward
the ceiling).

(5) Talking. The subject shall talk out loud slowly and loud
enough so as to be heard clearly by the test conductor. The subject
can read from a prepared text such as the Rainbow Passage, count
backward from 100, or recite a memorized poem or song.

Rainbow Passage

When the sunlight strikes raindrops in the air, they act like a
prism and form a rainbow. The rainbow is a division of white light
into many beautiful colors. These take the shape of a long round
arch, with its path high above, and its two ends apparently beyond
the horizon. There is, according to legend, a boiling pot of gold at
one end. People look, but no one ever finds it. When a man looks for
something beyond reach, his friends say he is looking for the pot of
gold at the end of the rainbow.

(6) Grimace. The test subject shall grimace by smiling or
frowning. (This applies only to QNFT testing; it is not performed
for QLFT)

(7) Bending over. The test subject shall bend at the waist as if
he/she were to touch his/her toes. Jogging in place shall be
substituted for this exercise in those test environments such as
shroud type QNFT or QLFT units that do not permit bending over at
the waist.

(8) Normal breathing. Same as exercise (1).

(b) Each test exercise shall be performed for one minute except
for the grimace exercise which shall be performed for 15 seconds.
The test subject shall be questioned by the test conductor regarding
the comfort of the respirator upon completion of the protocol. If it
has become unacceptable, another model of respirator shall be tried.
The respirator shall not be adjusted once the fit test exercises
begin. Any adjustment voids the test, and the fit test must be
repeated.

B. Qualitative Fit Test (QLFT) Protocols

1. General

(a) The employer shall ensure that persons administering QLFT
are able to prepare test solutions, calibrate equipment and perform
tests properly, recognize invalid tests, and ensure that test
equipment is in proper working order.

(b) The employer shall ensure that QLFT equipment is kept clean
and well maintained so as to operate within the parameters for which
it was designed.

2. Isoamyl Acetate Protocol

Note: This protocol is not appropriate to use for the fit
testing of particulate respirators. If used to fit test particulate
respirators, the respirator must be equipped with an organic vapor
filter.

(a) Odor Threshold Screening

Odor threshold screening, performed without wearing a
respirator, is intended to determine if the individual tested can
detect the odor of isoamyl acetate at low levels.

(1) Three 1 liter glass jars with metal lids are required.

(2) Odor-free water (e.g., distilled or spring water) at
approximately 25 deg. C (77 deg. F) shall be used for the solutions.

(3) The isoamyl acetate (IAA) (also known at isopentyl acetate)
stock solution is prepared by adding 1 ml of pure IAA to 800 ml of
odor-free water in a 1 liter jar, closing the lid and shaking for 30
seconds. A new solution shall be prepared at least weekly.

(4) The screening test shall be conducted in a room separate
from the room used for actual fit testing. The two rooms shall be
well-ventilated to prevent the odor of IAA from becoming evident in
the general room air where testing takes place.

(5) The odor test solution is prepared in a second jar by
placing 0.4 ml of the stock solution into 500 ml of odor-free water
using a clean dropper or pipette. The solution shall be shaken for
30 seconds and allowed to stand for two to three minutes so that the
IAA concentration above the liquid may reach equilibrium. This
solution shall be used for only one day.

(6) A test blank shall be prepared in a third jar by adding 500
cc of odor-free water.

(7) The odor test and test blank jar lids shall be labeled
(e.g., 1 and 2) for jar identification. Labels shall be placed on
the lids so that they can be peeled off periodically and switched to
maintain the integrity of the test.

(8) The following instruction shall be typed on a card and
placed on the table in front of the two test jars (i.e., 1 and 2):
"The purpose of this test is to determine if you can smell banana
oil at a low concentration. The two bottles in front of you contain
water. One of these bottles also contains a small amount of banana
oil. Be sure the covers are on tight, then shake each bottle for two
seconds. Unscrew the lid of each bottle, one at a time, and sniff at
the mouth of the bottle. Indicate to the test conductor which bottle
contains banana oil."

(9) The mixtures used in the IAA odor detection test shall be
prepared in an area separate from where the test is performed, in
order to prevent olfactory fatigue in the subject.

(10) If the test subject is unable to correctly identify the jar
containing the odor test solution, the IAA qualitative fit test
shall not be performed.

(11) If the test subject correctly identifies the jar containing
the odor test solution, the test subject may proceed to respirator
selection and fit testing.

(b) Isoamyl Acetate Fit Test

(1) The fit test chamber shall be a clear 55-gallon drum liner
suspended inverted over a 2-foot diameter frame so that the top of
the chamber is about 6 inches above the test subject's head. If no
drum liner is available, a similar chamber shall be constructed
using plastic sheeting. The inside top center of the chamber shall
have a small hook attached.

(2) Each respirator used for the fitting and fit testing shall
be equipped with organic vapor cartridges or offer protection
against organic vapors.

(3) After selecting, donning, and properly adjusting a
respirator, the test subject shall wear it to the fit testing room.
This room shall be separate from the room used for odor threshold
screening and respirator selection, and shall be well-ventilated, as
by an exhaust fan or lab hood, to prevent general room
contamination.

(4) A copy of the test exercises and any prepared text from
which the subject is to read shall be taped to the inside of the
test chamber.

(5) Upon entering the test chamber, the test subject shall be
given a 6-inch by 5-inch piece of paper towel, or other porous,
absorbent, single-ply material, folded in half and wetted with 0.75
ml of pure IAA. The test subject shall hang the wet towel on the
hook at the top of the chamber. An IAA test swab or ampule may be
substituted for the IAA wetted paper towel provided it has been
demonstrated that the alternative IAA source will generate an IAA
test atmosphere with a concentration equivalent to that generated by
the paper towel method.

(6) Allow two minutes for the IAA test concentration to
stabilize before starting the fit test exercises. This would be an
appropriate time to talk with the test subject; to explain the fit
test, the importance of his/her cooperation, and the purpose for the
test exercises; or to demonstrate some of the exercises.

(7) If at any time during the test, the subject detects the
banana-like odor of IAA, the test is failed. The subject shall
quickly exit from the test chamber and leave the test area to avoid
olfactory fatigue.

(8) If the test is failed, the subject shall return to the
selection room and remove the respirator. The test subject shall
repeat the odor sensitivity test, select and put on another
respirator, return to the test area and again begin the fit test
procedure described in (b) (1) through (7) above. The process
continues until a respirator that fits well has been found. Should
the odor sensitivity test be failed, the subject shall wait at least
5 minutes before retesting. Odor sensitivity will usually have
returned by this time.

(9) If the subject passes the test, the efficiency of the test
procedure shall be demonstrated by having the subject break the
respirator face seal and take a breath before exiting the chamber.

(10) When the test subject leaves the chamber, the subject shall
remove the saturated towel and return it to the person conducting
the test, so that there is no significant IAA concentration buildup
in the chamber during subsequent tests. The used towels shall be
kept in a self-sealing plastic bag to keep the test area from being
contaminated.

3. Saccharin Solution Aerosol Protocol

The entire screening and testing procedure shall be explained to
the test subject prior to the conduct of the screening test.

(a) Taste threshold screening. The saccharin taste threshold
screening,
performed without wearing a respirator, is intended to determine
whether the individual being tested can detect the taste of
saccharin.

(1) During threshold screening as well as during fit testing,
subjects shall wear an enclosure about the head and shoulders that
is approximately 12 inches in diameter by 14 inches tall with at
least the front portion clear and that allows free movements of the
head when a respirator is worn. An enclosure substantially similar
to the 3M hood assembly, parts # FT 14 and # FT 15 combined, is
adequate.

(2) The test enclosure shall have a 3/4-inch (1.9 cm) hole in
front of the test subject's nose and mouth area to accommodate the
nebulizer nozzle.

(3) The test subject shall don the test enclosure. Throughout
the threshold screening test, the test subject shall breathe through
his/her slightly open mouth with tongue extended. The subject is
instructed to report when he/she detects a sweet taste.

(4) Using a DeVilbiss Model 40 Inhalation Medication Nebulizer
or equivalent, the test conductor shall spray the threshold check
solution into the enclosure. The nozzle is directed away from the
nose and mouth of the person. This nebulizer shall be clearly marked
to distinguish it from the fit test solution nebulizer.

(5) The threshold check solution is prepared by dissolving 0.83
gram of sodium saccharin USP in 100 ml of warm water. It can be
prepared by putting 1 ml of the fit test solution (see (b)(5) below)
in 100 ml of distilled water.

(6) To produce the aerosol, the nebulizer bulb is firmly
squeezed so that it collapses completely, then released and allowed
to fully expand.

(7) Ten squeezes are repeated rapidly and then the test subject
is asked whether the saccharin can be tasted. If the test subject
reports tasting the sweet taste during the ten squeezes, the
screening test is completed. The taste threshold is noted as ten
regardless of the number of squeezes actually completed.

(8) If the first response is negative, ten more squeezes are
repeated rapidly and the test subject is again asked whether the
saccharin is tasted. If the test subject reports tasting the sweet
taste during the second ten squeezes, the screening test is
completed. The taste threshold is noted as twenty regardless of the
number of squeezes actually completed.

(9) If the second response is negative, ten more squeezes are
repeated rapidly and the test subject is again asked whether the
saccharin is tasted. If the test subject reports tasting the sweet
taste during the third set of ten squeezes, the screening test is
completed. The taste threshold is noted as thirty regardless of the
number of squeezes actually completed.

(10) The test conductor will take note of the number of squeezes
required to solicit a taste response.

(11) If the saccharin is not tasted after 30 squeezes (step 10),
the test subject is unable to taste saccharin and may not perform
the saccharin fit test.

Note to paragraph 3. (a): If the test subject eats or drinks
something sweet before the screening test, he/she may be unable to
taste the weak saccharin solution.

(12) If a taste response is elicited, the test subject shall be
asked to take note of the taste for reference in the fit test.

(13) Correct use of the nebulizer means that approximately 1 ml
of liquid is used at a time in the nebulizer body.

(14) The nebulizer shall be thoroughly rinsed in water, shaken
dry, and refilled at least each morning and afternoon or at least
every four hours.

(b) Saccharin solution aerosol fit test procedure.

(1) The test subject may not eat, drink (except plain water),
smoke, or chew gum for 15 minutes before the test.

(2) The fit test uses the same enclosure described in 3. (a)
above.

(3) The test subject shall don the enclosure while wearing the
respirator selected in section I. A. of this appendix. The
respirator shall be properly adjusted and equipped with a
particulate filter(s).

(4) A second DeVilbiss Model 40 Inhalation Medication Nebulizer
or equivalent is used to spray the fit test solution into the
enclosure. This nebulizer shall be clearly marked to distinguish it
from the screening test solution nebulizer.

(5) The fit test solution is prepared by adding 83 grams of
sodium saccharin to 100 ml of warm water.

(6) As before, the test subject shall breathe through the
slightly open mouth with tongue extended, and report if he/she
tastes the sweet taste of saccharin.

(7) The nebulizer is inserted into the hole in the front of the
enclosure and an initial concentration of saccharin fit test
solution is sprayed into the enclosure using the same number of
squeezes (either 10, 20 or 30 squeezes) based on the number of
squeezes required to elicit a taste response as noted during the
screening test. A minimum of 10 squeezes is required.

(8) After generating the aerosol, the test subject shall be
instructed to perform the exercises in section I. A. 14. of this
appendix.

(9) Every 30 seconds the aerosol concentration shall be
replenished using one half the original number of squeezes used
initially (e.g., 5, 10 or 15).

(10) The test subject shall indicate to the test conductor if at
any time during the fit test the taste of saccharin is detected. If
the test subject does not report tasting the saccharin, the test is
passed.

(11) If the taste of saccharin is detected, the fit is deemed
unsatisfactory and the test is failed. A different respirator shall
be tried and the entire test procedure is repeated (taste threshold
screening and fit testing).

(12) Since the nebulizer has a tendency to clog during use, the
test operator must make periodic checks of the nebulizer to ensure
that it is not clogged. If clogging is found at the end of the test
session, the test is invalid.

The BitrexTM (Denatonium benzoate) solution aerosol
QLFT protocol uses the published saccharin test protocol because
that protocol is widely accepted. Bitrex is routinely used as a
taste aversion agent in household liquids which children should not
be drinking and is endorsed by the American Medical Association, the
National Safety Council, and the American Association of Poison
Control Centers. The entire screening and testing procedure shall be
explained to the test subject prior to the conduct of the screening
test.

(a) Taste Threshold Screening.

The Bitrex taste threshold screening, performed without wearing
a respirator, is intended to determine whether the individual being
tested can detect the taste of Bitrex.

(1) During threshold screening as well as during fit testing,
subjects shall wear an enclosure about the head and shoulders that
is approximately 12 inches (30.5 cm) in diameter by 14 inches (35.6
cm) tall. The front portion of the enclosure shall be clear from the
respirator and allow free movement of the head when a respirator is
worn. An enclosure substantially similar to the 3M hood assembly,
parts #14 and #15 combined, is adequate.

(2) The test enclosure shall have a \3/4\ inch (1.9 cm) hole in
front of the test subject's nose and mouth area to accommodate the
nebulizer nozzle.

(3) The test subject shall don the test enclosure. Throughout
the threshold screening test, the test subject shall breathe through
his or her slightly open mouth with tongue extended. The subject is
instructed to report when he/she detects a bitter taste.

(4) Using a DeVilbiss Model 40 Inhalation Medication Nebulizer
or equivalent, the test conductor shall spray the Threshold Check
Solution into the enclosure. This Nebulizer shall be clearly marked
to distinguish it from the fit test solution nebulizer.

(6) To produce the aerosol, the nebulizer bulb is firmly
squeezed so that the bulb collapses completely, and is then released
and allowed to fully expand.

(7) An initial ten squeezes are repeated rapidly and then the
test subject is asked whether the Bitrex can be tasted. If the test
subject reports tasting the bitter taste during the ten squeezes,
the screening test is completed. The taste threshold is noted as ten
regardless of the number of squeezes actually completed.

(8) If the first response is negative, ten more squeezes are
repeated rapidly and the test subject is again asked whether the
Bitrex is tasted. If the test subject reports tasting the bitter
taste during the second ten squeezes, the screening test is
completed. The taste threshold is noted as twenty regardless of the
number of squeezes actually completed.

(9) If the second response is negative, ten more squeezes are
repeated rapidly and the test subject is again asked whether the
Bitrex is tasted. If the test subject reports tasting the bitter
taste during the third set of ten squeezes, the screening test is
completed. The taste threshold is noted as thirty regardless of the
number of squeezes actually completed.

(10) The test conductor will take note of the number of squeezes
required to solicit a taste response.

(11) If the Bitrex is not tasted after 30 squeezes (step 10),
the test subject is unable to taste Bitrex and may not perform the
Bitrex fit test.

(12) If a taste response is elicited, the test subject shall be
asked to take note of the taste for reference in the fit test.

(13) Correct use of the nebulizer means that approximately 1 ml
of liquid is used at a time in the nebulizer body.

(14) The nebulizer shall be thoroughly rinsed in water, shaken
to dry, and refilled at least each morning and afternoon or at least
every four hours.

(b) Bitrex Solution Aerosol Fit Test Procedure.

(1) The test subject may not eat, drink (except plain water),
smoke, or chew gum for 15 minutes before the test.

(2) The fit test uses the same enclosure as that described in 4.
(a) above.

(3) The test subject shall don the enclosure while wearing the
respirator selected according to section I. A. of this appendix. The
respirator shall be properly adjusted and equipped with any type
particulate filter(s).

(4) A second DeVilbiss Model 40 Inhalation Medication Nebulizer
or equivalent is used to spray the fit test solution into the
enclosure. This nebulizer shall be clearly marked to distinguish it
from the screening test solution nebulizer.

(5) The fit test solution is prepared by adding 337.5 mg of
Bitrex to 200 ml of a 5% salt (NaCl) solution in warm water.

(6) As before, the test subject shall breathe through his or her
slightly open mouth with tongue extended, and be instructed to
report if he/she tastes the bitter taste of Bitrex..

(7) The nebulizer is inserted into the hole in the front of the
enclosure and an initial concentration of the fit test solution is
sprayed into the enclosure using the same number of squeezes (either
10, 20 or 30 squeezes) based on the number of squeezes required to
elicit a taste response as noted during the screening test.

(8) After generating the aerosol, the test subject shall be
instructed to perform the exercises in section I. A. 14. of this
appendix.

(9) Every 30 seconds the aerosol concentration shall be
replenished using one half the number of squeezes used initially
(e.g., 5, 10 or 15).

(10) The test subject shall indicate to the test conductor if at
any time during the fit test the taste of Bitrex is detected. If the
test subject does not report tasting the Bitrex, the test is passed.

(11) If the taste of Bitrex is detected, the fit is deemed
unsatisfactory and the test is failed. A different respirator shall
be tried and the entire test procedure is repeated (taste threshold
screening and fit testing).

5. Irritant Smoke (Stannic Chloride) Protocol

This qualitative fit test uses a person's response to the
irritating chemicals released in the "smoke" produced by a stannic
chloride ventilation smoke tube to detect leakage into the
respirator.

(a) General Requirements and Precautions

(1) The respirator to be tested shall be equipped with high
efficiency particulate air (HEPA) or P100 series filter(s).

(2) Only stannic chloride smoke tubes shall be used for this
protocol.

(3) No form of test enclosure or hood for the test subject shall
be used.

(4) The smoke can be irritating to the eyes, lungs, and nasal
passages. The test conductor shall take precautions to minimize the
test subject's exposure to irritant smoke. Sensitivity varies, and
certain individuals may respond to a greater degree to irritant
smoke. Care shall be taken when performing the sensitivity screening
checks that determine whether the test subject can detect irritant
smoke to use only the minimum amount of smoke necessary to elicit a
response from the test subject.

(5) The fit test shall be performed in an area with adequate
ventilation to prevent exposure of the person conducting the fit
test or the build-up of irritant smoke in the general atmosphere.

(b) Sensitivity Screening Check

The person to be tested must demonstrate his or her ability to
detect a weak concentration of the irritant smoke.

(1) The test operator shall break both ends of a ventilation
smoke tube containing stannic chloride, and attach one end of the
smoke tube to a low flow air pump set to deliver 200 milliliters per
minute, or an aspirator squeeze bulb. The test operator shall cover
the other end of the smoke tube with a short piece of tubing to
prevent potential injury from the jagged end of the smoke tube.

(2) The test operator shall advise the test subject that the
smoke can be irritating to the eyes, lungs, and nasal passages and
instruct the subject to keep his/her eyes closed while the test is
performed.

(3) The test subject shall be allowed to smell a weak
concentration of the irritant smoke before the respirator is donned
to become familiar with its irritating properties and to determine
if he/she can detect the irritating properties of the smoke. The
test operator shall carefully direct a small amount of the irritant
smoke in the test subject's direction to determine that he/she can
detect it.

(c) Irritant Smoke Fit Test Procedure

(1) The person being fit tested shall don the respirator without
assistance, and perform the required user seal check(s).

(2) The test subject shall be instructed to keep his/her eyes
closed.

(3) The test operator shall direct the stream of irritant smoke
from the smoke tube toward the faceseal area of the test subject,
using the low flow pump or the squeeze bulb. The test operator shall
begin at least 12 inches from the facepiece and move the smoke
stream around the whole perimeter of the mask. The operator shall
gradually make two more passes around the perimeter of the mask,
moving to within six inches of the respirator.

(4) If the person being tested has not had an involuntary
response and/or detected the irritant smoke, proceed with the test
exercises.

(5) The exercises identified in section I.A. 14. of this
appendix shall be performed by the test subject while the respirator
seal is being continually challenged by the smoke, directed around
the perimeter of the respirator at a distance of six inches.

(6) If the person being fit tested reports detecting the
irritant smoke at any time, the test is failed. The person being
retested must repeat the entire sensitivity check and fit test
procedure.

(7) Each test subject passing the irritant smoke test without
evidence of a response (involuntary cough, irritation) shall be
given a second sensitivity screening check, with the smoke from the
same smoke tube used during the fit test, once the respirator has
been removed, to determine whether he/she still reacts to the smoke.
Failure to evoke a response shall void the fit test.

(8) If a response is produced during this second sensitivity
check, then the fit test is passed.

C. Quantitative Fit Test (QNFT) Protocols

The following quantitative fit testing procedures have been
demonstrated to be acceptable: Quantitative fit testing using a non-hazardous
test aerosol (such as corn oil, polyethylene glycol 400
[PEG 400], di-2-ethyl hexyl sebacate [DEHS], or sodium chloride)
generated in a test chamber, and employing instrumentation to
quantify the fit of the respirator; Quantitative fit testing using
ambient aerosol as the test agent and appropriate instrumentation
(condensation nuclei counter) to quantify the respirator fit;
Quantitative fit testing using controlled negative pressure and
appropriate instrumentation to measure the volumetric leak rate of a
facepiece to quantify the respirator fit.

1. General

(a) The employer shall ensure that persons administering QNFT
are able to calibrate equipment and perform tests properly,
recognize invalid tests, calculate fit factors properly and ensure
that test equipment is in proper working order.

(b) The employer shall ensure that QNFT equipment is kept clean,
and is maintained and calibrated according to the manufacturer's
instructions so as to operate at the parameters for which it was
designed.

(2) Test chamber. The test chamber shall be large enough to
permit all test subjects to perform freely all required exercises
without disturbing the test agent concentration or the measurement
apparatus. The test chamber shall be equipped and constructed so
that the test agent is effectively isolated from the ambient air,
yet uniform in concentration throughout the chamber.

(3) When testing air-purifying respirators, the normal filter or
cartridge element shall be replaced with a high efficiency
particulate air (HEPA) or P100 series filter supplied by the same
manufacturer.

(4) The sampling instrument shall be selected so that a computer
record or strip chart record may be made of the test showing the
rise and fall of the test agent concentration with each inspiration
and expiration at fit factors of at least 2,000. Integrators or
computers that integrate the amount of test agent
penetration leakage into the respirator for each exercise may be
used provided a record of the readings is made.

(5) The combination of substitute air-purifying elements, test
agent and test agent concentration shall be such that the test
subject is not exposed in excess of an established exposure limit
for the test agent at any time during the testing process, based
upon the length of the exposure and the exposure limit duration.

(6) The sampling port on the test specimen respirator shall be
placed and constructed so that no leakage occurs around the port
(e.g., where the respirator is probed), a free air flow is allowed
into the sampling line at all times, and there is no interference
with the fit or performance of the respirator. The in-mask sampling
device (probe) shall be designed and used so that the air sample is
drawn from the breathing zone of the test subject, midway between
the nose and mouth and with the probe extending into the facepiece
cavity at least 1/4 inch.

(7) The test setup shall permit the person administering the
test to observe the test subject inside the chamber during the test.

(8) The equipment generating the test atmosphere shall maintain
the concentration of test agent constant to within a 10 percent
variation for the duration of the test.

(9) The time lag (interval between an event and the recording of
the event on the strip chart or computer or integrator) shall be
kept to a minimum. There shall be a clear association between the
occurrence of an event and its being recorded.

(10) The sampling line tubing for the test chamber atmosphere
and for the respirator sampling port shall be of equal diameter and
of the same material. The length of the two lines shall be equal.

(11) The exhaust flow from the test chamber shall pass through
an appropriate filter (i.e., high efficiency particulate or P100
series filter) before release.

(13) The limitations of instrument detection shall be taken into
account when determining the fit factor.

(14) Test respirators shall be maintained in proper working
order and be inspected regularly for deficiencies such as cracks or
missing valves and gaskets.

(b) Procedural Requirements.

(1) When performing the initial user seal check using a positive
or negative pressure check, the sampling line shall be crimped
closed in order to avoid air pressure leakage during either of these
pressure checks.

(2) The use of an abbreviated screening QLFT test is optional.
Such a test may be utilized in order to quickly identify poor
fitting respirators that passed the positive and/or negative
pressure test and reduce the amount of QNFT time. The use of the CNC
QNFT instrument in the count mode is another optional method to
obtain a quick estimate of fit and eliminate poor fitting
respirators before going on to perform a full QNFT.

(3) A reasonably stable test agent concentration shall be
measured in the test chamber prior to testing. For canopy or shower
curtain types of test units, the determination of the test agent's
stability may be established after the test subject has entered the
test environment.

(4) Immediately after the subject enters the test chamber, the
test agent concentration inside the respirator shall be measured to
ensure that the peak penetration does not exceed 5 percent for a
half mask or 1 percent for a full facepiece respirator.

(5) A stable test agent concentration shall be obtained prior to
the actual start of testing.

(6) Respirator restraining straps shall not be over-tightened
for testing. The straps shall be adjusted by the wearer without
assistance from other persons to give a reasonably comfortable fit
typical of normal use. The respirator shall not be adjusted once the
fit test exercises begin.

(7) The test shall be terminated whenever any single peak
penetration exceeds 5 percent for half masks and 1 percent for full
facepiece respirators. The test subject shall be refitted and
retested.

(8) Calculation of fit factors.

(i) The fit factor shall be determined for the quantitative fit
test by taking the ratio of the average chamber concentration to the
concentration measured inside the respirator for each test exercise
except the grimace exercise.

(ii) The average test chamber concentration shall be calculated
as the arithmetic average of the concentration measured before and
after each test (i.e., 7 exercises) or the arithmetic average of the
concentration measured before and after each exercise or the true
average measured continuously during the respirator sample.

(iii) The concentration of the challenge agent inside the
respirator shall be determined by one of the following methods:

(A) Average peak penetration method means the method of
determining test agent penetration into the respirator utilizing a
strip chart recorder, integrator, or computer. The agent penetration
is determined by an average of the peak heights on the graph or by
computer integration, for each exercise except the grimace exercise.
Integrators or computers that calculate the actual test agent
penetration into the respirator for each exercise will also be
considered to meet the requirements of the average peak penetration
method.

(B) Maximum peak penetration method means the method of
determining test agent penetration in the respirator as determined
by strip chart recordings of the test. The highest peak penetration
for a given exercise is taken to be representative of average
penetration into the respirator for that exercise.

(C) Integration by calculation of the area under the individual
peak for each exercise except the grimace exercise. This includes
computerized integration.

(D) The calculation of the overall fit factor using individual
exercise fit factors involves first converting the exercise fit
factors to penetration values, determining the average, and then
converting that result back to a fit factor. This procedure is
described in the following equation:

(9) The test subject shall not be permitted to wear a half mask
or quarter facepiece respirator unless a minimum fit factor of 100
is obtained, or a full facepiece respirator unless a minimum fit
factor of 500 is obtained.

(10) Filters used for quantitative fit testing shall be replaced
whenever increased breathing resistance is encountered, or when the
test agent has altered the integrity of the filter media.

The ambient aerosol condensation nuclei counter (CNC)
quantitative fit testing (Portacount TM ) protocol
quantitatively fit tests respirators with the use of a probe. The
probed respirator is only used for quantitative fit tests. A probed
respirator has a special sampling device, installed on the
respirator, that allows the probe to sample the air from inside the
mask. A probed respirator is required for each make, style, model,
and size that the employer uses and can be obtained from the
respirator manufacturer or distributor. The CNC instrument
manufacturer, TSI Inc., also provides probe attachments (TSI
sampling adapters) that permit fit testing in an employee's own
respirator. A minimum fit factor pass level of at least 100 is
necessary for a half-mask respirator and a minimum fit factor pass
level of at least 500 is required for a full facepiece negative
pressure respirator. The entire screening and testing procedure
shall be explained to the test subject prior to the conduct of the
screening test.

(a) Portacount Fit Test Requirements.

(1) Check the respirator to make sure the respirator is fitted
with a high-efficiency filter and that the sampling probe and line
are properly attached to the facepiece.

(2) Instruct the person to be tested to don the respirator for
five minutes before the fit test starts. This purges the ambient
particles trapped inside the respirator and permits the wearer to
make certain the respirator is comfortable. This individual shall
already have been trained on how to wear the respirator properly.

(3) Check the following conditions for the adequacy of the
respirator fit: Chin properly placed; Adequate strap tension, not
overly tightened; Fit across nose bridge; Respirator of proper size
to span distance from nose to chin; Tendency of the respirator to
slip; Self-observation in a mirror to evaluate fit and respirator
position.

(4) Have the person wearing the respirator do a user seal check.
If leakage is detected, determine the cause. If leakage is from a
poorly fitting facepiece, try another size of the same model
respirator, or another model of respirator.

(5) Follow the manufacturer's instructions for operating the
Portacount and proceed with the test.

(6) The test subject shall be instructed to perform the
exercises in section I. A. 14. of this appendix.

(7) After the test exercises, the test subject shall be
questioned by the test conductor regarding the comfort of the
respirator upon completion of the protocol. If it has become
unacceptable, another model of respirator shall be tried.

(b) Portacount Test Instrument.

(1) The Portacount will automatically stop and calculate the
overall fit factor for the entire set of exercises. The overall fit
factor is what counts. The Pass or Fail message will indicate
whether or not the test was successful. If the test was a Pass, the
fit test is over.

(2) Since the pass or fail criterion of the Portacount is user
programmable, the test operator shall ensure that the pass or fail
criterion meet the requirements for minimum respirator performance
in this Appendix.

(3) A record of the test needs to be kept on file, assuming the
fit test was successful. The record must contain the test subject's
name; overall fit factor; make, model, style, and size of respirator
used; and date tested.

The CNP protocol provides an alternative to aerosol fit test
methods. The CNP fit test method technology is based on exhausting
air from a temporarily sealed respirator facepiece to generate and
then maintain a constant negative pressure inside the facepiece. The
rate of air exhaust is controlled so that a constant negative
pressure is maintained in the respirator during the fit test. The
level of pressure is selected to replicate the mean inspiratory
pressure that causes leakage into the respirator under normal use
conditions. With pressure held constant, air flow out of the
respirator is equal to air flow into the respirator. Therefore,
measurement of the exhaust stream that is required to hold the
pressure in the temporarily sealed respirator constant yields a
direct measure of leakage air flow into the respirator. The CNP fit
test method measures leak rates through the facepiece as a method
for determining the facepiece fit for negative pressure respirators.
The CNP instrument manufacturer Dynatech Nevada also provides
attachments (sampling manifolds) that replace the filter cartridges
to permit fit testing in an employee's own respirator. To perform
the test, the test subject closes his or her mouth and holds his/her
breath, after which an air pump removes air from the respirator
facepiece at a pre-selected constant pressure. The facepiece fit is
expressed as the leak rate through the facepiece, expressed as
milliliters per minute. The quality and validity of the CNP fit
tests are determined by the degree to which the in-mask pressure
tracks the test pressure during the system measurement time of
approximately five seconds. Instantaneous feedback in the form of a
real-time pressure trace of the in-mask pressure is provided and
used to determine test validity and quality. A minimum fit factor
pass level of 100 is necessary for a half-mask respirator and a
minimum fit factor of at least 500 is required for a full facepiece
respirator. The entire screening and testing procedure shall be
explained to the test subject prior to the conduct of the screening
test.

(a) CNP Fit Test Requirements.

(1) The instrument shall have a non-adjustable test pressure of
15.0 mm water pressure.

(2) The CNP system defaults selected for test pressure shall be
set at -- 1.5 mm of water (-0.58 inches of water) and the modeled
inspiratory flow rate shall be 53.8 liters per minute for performing
fit tests.

(Note: CNP systems have built-in capability to conduct fit testing
that is specific to unique work rate, mask, and gender situations
that might apply in a specific workplace. Use of system default
values, which were selected to represent respirator wear with medium
cartridge resistance at a low-moderate work rate, will allow inter-test
comparison of the respirator fit.)

(3) The individual who conducts the CNP fit testing shall be
thoroughly trained to perform the test.

(4) The respirator filter or cartridge needs to be replaced with
the CNP test manifold. The inhalation valve downstream from the
manifold either needs to be temporarily removed or propped open.

(5) The test subject shall be trained to hold his or her breath
for at least 20 seconds.

(6) The test subject shall don the test respirator without any
assistance from the individual who conducts the CNP fit test.

(7) The QNFT protocol shall be followed according to section I.
C. 1. of this appendix with an exception for the CNP test exercises.

(b) CNP Test Exercises.

(1) Normal breathing. In a normal standing position, without
talking, the subject shall breathe normally for 1 minute. After the
normal breathing exercise, the subject needs to hold head straight
ahead and hold his or her breath for 10 seconds during the test
measurement.

(2) Deep breathing. In a normal standing position, the subject
shall breathe slowly and deeply for 1 minute, being careful not to
hyperventilate. After the deep breathing exercise, the subject shall
hold his or her head straight ahead and hold his or her breath for
10 seconds during test measurement.

(3) Turning head side to side. Standing in place, the subject
shall slowly turn his or her head from side to side between the
extreme positions on each side for 1 minute. The head shall be held
at each extreme momentarily so the subject can inhale at each side.
After the turning head side to side exercise, the subject needs to
hold head full left and hold his or her breath for 10 seconds during
test measurement. Next, the subject needs to hold head full right
and hold his or her breath for 10 seconds during test measurement.

(4) Moving head up and down. Standing in place, the subject
shall slowly move his or her head up and down for 1 minute. The
subject shall be instructed to inhale in the up position (i.e., when
looking toward the ceiling). After the moving head up and down
exercise, the subject shall hold his or her head full up and hold
his or her breath for 10 seconds during test measurement. Next, the
subject shall hold his or her head full down and hold his or her
breath for 10 seconds during test measurement.

(5) Talking. The subject shall talk out loud slowly and loud
enough so as to be heard clearly by the test conductor. The subject
can read from a prepared text such as the Rainbow Passage, count
backward from 100, or recite a memorized poem or song for 1 minute.
After the talking exercise, the subject shall hold his or her head
straight ahead and hold his or her breath for 10 seconds during the
test measurement.

(7) Bending Over. The test subject shall bend at the waist as if
he or she were to touch his or her toes for 1 minute. Jogging in
place shall be substituted for this exercise in those test
environments such as shroud-type QNFT units that prohibit bending at
the waist. After the bending over exercise, the subject shall hold
his or her head straight ahead and hold his or her breath for 10
seconds during the test measurement.

(8) Normal Breathing. The test subject shall remove and re-don
the respirator within a one-minute period. Then, in a normal
standing position, without talking, the subject shall breathe
normally for 1 minute. After the normal breathing exercise, the
subject shall hold his or her head straight ahead and hold his or
her breath for 10 seconds during the test measurement. After the
test exercises, the test subject shall be questioned by the test
conductor regarding the comfort of the respirator upon completion of
the protocol. If it has become unacceptable, another model of a
respirator shall be tried.

(c) CNP Test Instrument.

(1) The test instrument shall have an effective audio warning
device when the test subject fails to hold his or her breath during
the test. The test shall be terminated whenever the test subject
failed to hold his or her breath. The test subject may be refitted
and retested.

(2) A record of the test shall be kept on file, assuming the fit
test was successful. The record must contain the test subject's
name; overall fit factor; make, model, style and size of respirator
used; and date tested.

Part II. New Fit Test Protocols

A. Any person may submit to OSHA an application for approval of
a new fit test protocol. If the application meets the following
criteria, OSHA will initiate a rulemaking proceeding under section
6(b)(7) of the OSH Act to determine whether to list
the new protocol as an approved protocol in this Appendix A.

B. The application must include a detailed description of the
proposed new fit test protocol. This application must be supported
by either:

1. A test report prepared by an independent government research
laboratory (e.g., Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, Los Alamos
National Laboratory, the National Institute for Standards and
Technology) stating that the laboratory has tested the protocol and
had found it to be accurate and reliable; or

2. An article that has been published in a peer-reviewed
industrial hygiene journal describing the protocol and explaining
how test data support the protocol's accuracy and reliability.

C. If OSHA determines that additional information is required
before the Agency commences a rulemaking proceeding under this
section, OSHA will so notify the applicant and afford the applicant
the opportunity to submit the supplemental information. Initiation
of a rulemaking proceeding will be deferred until OSHA has received
and evaluated the supplemental information.

Appendix B-1 to Sec. 1910.134: User Seal Check Procedures (Mandatory)

The individual who uses a tight-fitting respirator is to perform
a user seal check to ensure that an adequate seal is achieved each
time the respirator is put on. Either the positive and negative
pressure checks listed in this appendix, or the respirator
manufacturer's recommended user seal check method shall be used.
User seal checks are not substitutes for qualitative or quantitative
fit tests.

I. Facepiece Positive and/or Negative Pressure Checks

A. Positive pressure check. Close off the exhalation valve and
exhale gently into the facepiece. The face fit is considered
satisfactory if a slight positive pressure can be built up inside
the facepiece without any evidence of outward leakage of air at the
seal. For most respirators this method of leak testing requires the
wearer to first remove the exhalation valve cover before closing off
the exhalation valve and then carefully replacing it after the test.

B. Negative pressure check. Close off the inlet opening of the
canister or cartridge(s) by covering with the palm of the hand(s) or
by replacing the filter seal(s), inhale gently so that the facepiece
collapses slightly, and hold the breath for ten seconds. The design
of the inlet opening of some cartridges cannot be effectively
covered with the palm of the hand. The test can be performed by
covering the inlet opening of the cartridge with a thin latex or
nitrile glove. If the facepiece remains in its slightly collapsed
condition and no inward leakage of air is detected, the tightness of
the respirator is considered satisfactory.

II. Manufacturer's Recommended User Seal Check Procedures

The respirator manufacturer's recommended procedures for
performing a user seal check may be used instead of the positive
and/or negative pressure check procedures provided that the employer
demonstrates that the manufacturer's procedures are equally
effective.

These procedures are provided for employer use when cleaning
respirators. They are general in nature, and the employer as an
alternative may use the cleaning recommendations provided by the
manufacturer of the respirators used by their employees, provided
such procedures are as effective as those listed here in Appendix B-2.
Equivalent effectiveness simply means that the procedures used
must accomplish the objectives set forth in Appendix B-2, i.e., must
ensure that the respirator is properly cleaned and disinfected in a
manner that prevents damage to the respirator and does not cause
harm to the user.

B. Wash components in warm (43 deg. C [110 deg. F] maximum)
water with a mild detergent or with a cleaner recommended by the
manufacturer. A stiff bristle (not wire) brush may be used to
facilitate the removal of dirt.

3. Other commercially available cleansers of equivalent
disinfectant quality when used as directed, if their use is
recommended or approved by the respirator manufacturer.

E. Rinse components thoroughly in clean, warm (43 deg. C
[110 deg. F] maximum), preferably running water. Drain. The
importance of thorough rinsing cannot be overemphasized. Detergents
or disinfectants that dry on facepieces may result in dermatitis. In
addition, some disinfectants may cause deterioration of rubber or
corrosion of metal parts if not completely removed.

F. Components should be hand-dried with a clean lint-free cloth
or air-dried.

To the employer: Answers to questions in Section 1, and to
question 9 in Section 2 of Part A, do not require a medical
examination.

To the employee:

Can you read (circle one): Yes/No

Your employer must allow you to answer this questionnaire during
normal working hours, or at a time and place that is convenient to
you. To maintain your confidentiality, your employer or supervisor
must not look at or review your answers, and your employer must tell
you how to deliver or send this questionnaire to the health care
professional who will review it.

Part A. Section 1. (Mandatory) The following information must be
provided by every employee who has been selected to use any type of
respirator (please print).
1. Today's date:_______________________________________________________

4. Do you currently have any of the following symptoms of pulmonary
or lung illness?
a. Shortness of breath: Yes/No
b. Shortness of breath when walking fast on level ground or
walking up a slight hill or incline: Yes/No
c. Shortness of breath when walking with other people at an
ordinary pace on level ground: Yes/No
d. Have to stop for breath when walking at your own pace on
level ground: Yes/No
e. Shortness of breath when washing or dressing yourself: Yes/No
f. Shortness of breath that interferes with your job: Yes/No
g. Coughing that produces phlegm (thick sputum): Yes/No
h. Coughing that wakes you early in the morning: Yes/No
i. Coughing that occurs mostly when you are lying down: Yes/No
j. Coughing up blood in the last month: Yes/No
k. Wheezing: Yes/No
l. Wheezing that interferes with your job: Yes/No
m. Chest pain when you breathe deeply: Yes/No
n. Any other symptoms that you think may be related to lung
problems: Yes/No

6. Have you ever had any of the following cardiovascular or heart
symptoms?
a. Frequent pain or tightness in your chest: Yes/No
b. Pain or tightness in your chest during physical activity:
Yes/No
c. Pain or tightness in your chest that interferes with your
job: Yes/No
d. In the past two years, have you noticed your heart skipping
or missing a beat: Yes/No
e. Heartburn or indigestion that is not related to eating: Yes/
No
f. Any other symptoms that you think may be related to heart or
circulation problems: Yes/No

7. Do you currently take medication for any of the following
problems?
a. Breathing or lung problems: Yes/No
b. Heart trouble: Yes/No
c. Blood pressure: Yes/No
d. Seizures (fits): Yes/No

8. If you've used a respirator, have you ever had any of the
following problems? (If you've never used a respirator, check the
following space and go to question 9:)
a. Eye irritation: Yes/No
b. Skin allergies or rashes: Yes/No
c. Anxiety: Yes/No
d. General weakness or fatigue: Yes/No
e. Any other problem that interferes with your use of a
respirator: Yes/No

9. Would you like to talk to the health care professional who will
review this questionnaire about your answers to this questionnaire:
Yes/No

Questions 10 to 15 below must be answered by every employee who
has been selected to use either a full-facepiece respirator or a
self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA). For employees who have
been selected to use other types of respirators, answering these
questions is voluntary.

10. Have you ever lost vision in either eye (temporarily or
permanently): Yes/No

11. Do you currently have any of the following vision problems?
a. Wear contact lenses: Yes/No
b. Wear glasses: Yes/No
c. Color blind: Yes/No
e. Any other eye or vision problem: Yes/No

12. Have you ever had an injury to your ears, including a broken ear
drum: Yes/No

13. Do you currently have any of the following hearing problems?
a. Difficulty hearing: Yes/No
b. Wear a hearing aid: Yes/No
c. Any other hearing or ear problem: Yes/No

14. Have you ever had a back injury: Yes/No

15. Do you currently have any of the following musculoskeletal
problems?
a. Weakness in any of your arms, hands, legs, or feet: Yes/No
b. Back pain: Yes/No
c. Difficulty fully moving your arms and legs: Yes/No
d. Pain or stiffness when you lean forward or backward at the
waist: Yes/No
e. Difficulty fully moving your head up or down: Yes/No
f. Difficulty fully moving your head side to side: Yes/No
g. Difficulty bending at your knees: Yes/No
h. Difficulty squatting to the ground: Yes/No
i. Climbing a flight of stairs or a ladder carrying more than 25
lbs: Yes/No
j. Any other muscle or skeletal problem that interferes with
using a respirator: Yes/No

Part B Any of the following questions, and other questions not
listed, may be added to the questionnaire at the discretion of the
health care professional who will review the questionnaire.

1. In your present job, are you working at high altitudes (over
5,000 feet) or in a place that has lower than normal amounts of
oxygen: Yes/No
If "yes," do you have feelings of dizziness, shortness of
breath, pounding in your chest, or other symptoms when you're
working under these conditions: Yes/No

2. At work or at home, have you ever been exposed to hazardous
solvents, hazardous airborne chemicals (e.g., gases, fumes, or
dust), or have you come into skin contact with hazardous chemicals:
Yes/No
If "yes," name the chemicals if you know them:_________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

7. Have you been in the military services? Yes/No
If "yes," were you exposed to biological or chemical agents
(either in training or combat): Yes/No

8. Have you ever worked on a HAZMAT team? Yes/No

9. Other than medications for breathing and lung problems, heart
trouble, blood pressure, and seizures mentioned earlier in this
questionnaire, are you taking any other medications for any reason
(including over-the-counter medications): Yes/No
If "yes," name the medications if you know them:_______________________

10. Will you be using any of the following items with your
respirator(s)?
a. HEPA Filters: Yes/No
b. Canisters (for example, gas masks): Yes/No
c. Cartridges: Yes/No

11. How often are you expected to use the respirator(s) (circle
"yes" or "no" for all answers that apply to you)?:
a. Escape only (no rescue): Yes/No
b. Emergency rescue only: Yes/No
c. Less than 5 hours per week: Yes/No
d. Less than 2 hours per day: Yes/No
e. 2 to 4 hours per day: Yes/No
f. Over 4 hours per day: Yes/No

12. During the period you are using the respirator(s), is your work
effort:
a. Light (less than 200 kcal per hour): Yes/No
If "yes," how long does this period last during the average
shift:____________hrs.____________mins.
Examples of a light work effort are sitting while writing,
typing, drafting, or performing light assembly work; or standing
while operating a drill press (1-3 lbs.) or controlling machines.

b. Moderate (200 to 350 kcal per hour): Yes/No
If "yes," how long does this period last during the average
shift:____________hrs.____________mins.
Examples of moderate work effort are sitting while nailing or
filing; driving a truck or bus in urban traffic; standing while
drilling, nailing, performing assembly work, or transferring a
moderate load (about 35 lbs.) at trunk level; walking on a level
surface about 2 mph or down a 5-degree grade about 3 mph; or pushing
a wheelbarrow with a heavy load (about 100 lbs.) on a level surface.

c. Heavy (above 350 kcal per hour): Yes/No
If "yes," how long does this period last during the average
shift:____________hrs.____________mins.
Examples of heavy work are lifting a heavy load (about 50 lbs.)
from the floor to your waist or shoulder; working on a loading dock;
shoveling; standing while bricklaying or chipping castings; walking
up an 8-degree grade about 2 mph; climbing stairs with a heavy load
(about 50 lbs.).

13. Will you be wearing protective clothing and/or equipment (other
than the respirator) when you're using your respirator: Yes/No
If "yes," describe this protective clothing and/or equipment:__________
_______________________________________________________________________

14. Will you be working under hot conditions (temperature exceeding
77 deg. F): Yes/No

15. Will you be working under humid conditions: Yes/No

16. Describe the work you'll be doing while you're using your
respirator(s):
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

18. Provide the following information, if you know it, for each
toxic substance that you'll be exposed to when you're using your
respirator(s):
Name of the first toxic substance:_____________________________________
Estimated maximum exposure level per shift:____________________________
Duration of exposure per shift_________________________________________
Name of the second toxic substance:____________________________________
Estimated maximum exposure level per shift:____________________________
Duration of exposure per shift:________________________________________
Name of the third toxic substance:_____________________________________
Estimated maximum exposure level per shift:____________________________
Duration of exposure per shift:________________________________________
The name of any other toxic substances that you'll be exposed to
while using your respirator:
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

19. Describe any special responsibilities you'll have while using
your respirator(s) that may affect the safety and well-being of
others (for example, rescue, security):
_______________________________________________________________________

Appendix D to Sec. 1910.134 (Non-Mandatory) Information for Employees
Using Respirators When Not Required Under the Standard

Respirators are an effective method of protection against
designated hazards when properly selected and worn. Respirator use
is encouraged, even when exposures are below the exposure limit, to
provide an additional level of comfort and protection for workers.
However, if a respirator is used improperly or not kept clean, the
respirator itself can become a hazard to the worker. Sometimes,
workers may wear respirators to avoid exposures to hazards, even if
the amount of hazardous substance does not exceed the limits set by
OSHA standards. If your employer provides respirators for your
voluntary use, of if you provide your own respirator, you need to
take certain precautions to be sure that the respirator itself does
not present a hazard.

You should do the following:

1. Read and heed all instructions provided by the manufacturer
on use, maintenance, cleaning and care, and warnings regarding the
respirators limitations.

2. Choose respirators certified for use to protect against the
contaminant of concern. NIOSH, the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health of the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, certifies respirators. A label or statement of
certification should appear on the respirator or respirator
packaging. It will tell you what the respirator is designed for and
how much it will protect you.

3. Do not wear your respirator into atmospheres containing
contaminants for which your respirator is not designed to protect
against. For example, a respirator designed to filter dust particles
will not protect you against gases, vapors, or very small solid
particles of fumes or smoke.

4. Keep track of your respirator so that you do not mistakenly
use someone else's respirator.

Subpart L -- [Amended]

8. The authority citation for Subpart L of Part 1910 is revised to
read as follows:

9. Section 1910.156 is amended by revising paragraphs (f)(1)(i) and
(f)(1)(v) as follows:

1910.156 Fire brigades.

* * * * *

(f) Respiratory protection. (1) General. (i) The employer must
ensure that respirators are provided to, and used by, fire brigade
members, and that the respirators meet the requirements of 29 CFR
1910.134 and this paragraph.

* * * * *

(v) Self-contained breathing apparatuses must have a minimum
service-life rating of 30 minutes in accordance with the methods and
requirements specified by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84, except for escape
self-contained breathing apparatus (ESCBAs) used only for emergency
escape purposes.

* * * * *

Subpart Q -- [Amended]

10. The authority citation for Subpart Q of Part 1910 is revised to
read as follows:

(ii) Airline respirators. In circumstances for which it is
impossible to provide such ventilation, airline respirators or hose
masks approved for this purpose by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under 42 CFR part 84 must be
used.

(iii) Self-contained units. In areas immediately hazardous to life,
a full-facepiece, pressure-demand, self-contained breathing apparatus
or a combination full-facepiece, pressure-demand supplied-air
respirator with an auxiliary, self-contained air supply approved by
NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 must be used.

* * * * *

(7) * * *

(iii) Local ventilation. In confined spaces or indoors, welding or
cutting operations involving metals containing lead, other than as an
impurity, or
metals coated with lead-bearing materials, including paint, must be
done using local exhaust ventilation or airline respirators. Such
operations, when done outdoors, must be done using respirators approved
for this purpose by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84. In all cases, workers
in the immediate vicinity of the cutting operation must be protected by
local exhaust ventilation or airline respirators.

* * * * *

(9) * * *

(i) General. In confined spaces or indoors, welding or cutting
operations involving cadmium-bearing or cadmium-coated base metals must
be done using local exhaust ventilation or airline respirators unless
atmospheric tests under the most adverse conditions show that employee
exposure is within the acceptable concentrations specified by 29 CFR
1910.1000. Such operations, when done outdoors, must be done using
respirators, such as fume respirators, approved for this purpose by
NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84.

* * * * *

(10) Mercury. In confined spaces or indoors, welding or cutting
operations involving metals coated with mercury-bearing materials,
including paint, must be done using local exhaust ventilation or
airline respirators unless atmospheric tests under the most adverse
conditions show that employee exposure is within the acceptable
concentrations specified by 29 CFR 1910.1000. Such operations, when
done outdoors, must be done using respirators approved for this purpose
by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84.

* * * * *

Subpart R -- [Amended]

12. The authority citation for Subpart R of Part 1910 is revised as
follows:

(2) Personal protective clothing and equipment. Foot protection,
shin guards, hard hats, noise-attenuation devices, and other personal
protective clothing and equipment must be worn when the extent of the
hazard warrants their use. Such equipment must be worn when
specifically required by other paragraphs of this section, and must be
maintained in accordance with applicable American National Standards
Institute standards. Respirators, goggles, protective masks, rubber
gloves, rubber boots, and other such equipment must be cleaned and
disinfected before being used by another employee. Required eye, head,
and ear protection must conform to American National Standards
Institute standards Z24.22-1957, Z87.1-1968, and Z89.1-1969.
Respiratory protection must conform to the requirements of 29 CFR
1910.134.

* * * * *

(g) * * *

(10) Gas masks (digester building). Gas masks must be available,
and they must furnish adequate protection against sulfurous acid and
chlorine gases and be inspected and repaired in accordance with 29 CFR
1910.134.

* * * * *

(h) * * *

(2) * * *

(iii) Gas masks must be provided for emergency use in accordance
with 29 CFR 1910.134.

(iv) For emergency and rescue operations, the employer must provide
employees with self-contained breathing apparatuses or supplied-air
respirators, and ensure that employees use these respirators, in
accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134.

* * * * *

Subpart Z -- [Amended]

14. The general authority citation for Subpart Z of 29 CFR Part
1910 is revised to read as follows:

(g) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities,
for which engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to
or below the TWA and/or excursion limit.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(ii) The employer must provide a tight-fitting, powered, air-purifying
respirator instead of any negative-pressure respirator
specified in Table 1 of this section when an employee chooses to use
this type of respirator and the respirator provides adequate protection
to the employee.

(iii) No employee must be assigned to tasks requiring the use of
respirators if, based on their most recent medical examination, the
examining physician determines that the employee will be unable to
function normally using a respirator, or that the safety or health of
the employee or other employees will be impaired by the use of a
respirator. Such employees must be assigned to another job or given the
opportunity to transfer to a different position, the duties of which
they can perform. If such a transfer position is available, the
position must be with the same employer, in the same geographical area,
and with the same seniority, status, and rate of pay the employee had
just prior to such transfer.

(3) Respirator selection. The employer must select and provide the
appropriate respirator from Table 1 of this section.

* * * * *

16. Section 1910.1003 is amended by revising paragraphs (c)(4)(iv)
and (d)(1) as follows:

1910.1003 13 Carcinogens (4-Nitrobiphenyl, etc.).

* * * * *

(c) * * *

(4) * * *

(iv) Employees engaged in handling operations involving the
carcinogens addressed by this section must be provided with, and
required to wear and use, a half-face filter-type respirator for dusts,
mists, and fumes. A respirator affording higher levels of protection
than this respirator may be substituted.

* * * * *

(d) * * *

(1) Respirator program. The employer must implement a respiratory
protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b), (c), (d)
(except (d)(1)(iii) and (iv), and (d)(3)), and (e) through (m).

* * * * *

17. Section 1910.1017 is amended by revising paragraph (g) to read
as follows:

1910.1017 Vinyl chloride.

* * * * *

(g) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.

(2) Respirator program. The employer must implement a respiratory
protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b) through (d)
(except (d)(1)(iii), and (d)(3)(iii)(B)(1) and (2)), and (f) through
(m).

(3) Respirator selection. (i) Respirators must be selected from the
following table:

(ii) When air-purifying respirators are used:

(A) Air-purifying canisters or cartridges must be replaced prior to
the expiration of their service life or the end of the shift in which
they are first used, whichever occurs first.

(B) A continuous-monitoring and alarm system must be provided when
concentrations of vinyl chloride could reasonably exceed the allowable
concentrations for the devices in use. Such a system must be used to
alert employees when vinyl chloride concentrations exceed the allowable
concentrations for the devices in use.

(iii) Respirators specified for higher concentrations may be used
for lower concentrations.

* * * * *

18. Section 1910.1018 is amended by revising paragraph (h) to read
as follows:

1910.1018 Inorganic arsenic.

* * * * *

(h) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities,
for which the employer establishes that
engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible.

(iii) Work operations for which engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or
below the permissible exposure limit.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(ii) If an employee exhibits breathing difficulty during fit
testing or respirator use, they must be examined by a physician trained
in pulmonary medicine to determine whether they can use a respirator
while performing the required duty.

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must use Table I of this
section to select the appropriate respirator or combination of
respirators for inorganic arsenic compounds without significant vapor
pressure, and Table II of this section to select the appropriate
respirator or combination of respirators for inorganic arsenic
compounds that have significant vapor pressure.

(ii) When employee exposures exceed the permissible exposure limit
for inorganic arsenic and also exceed the relevant limit for other
gases (for example, sulfur dioxide), an air-purifying respirator
provided to the employee as specified by this section must have a
combination high-efficiency filter with an appropriate gas sorbent.
(See footnote in Table 1 of this section.)

(iii) Employees required to use respirators may choose, and the
employer must provide, a powered air-purifying respirator if it will
provide proper protection. In addition, the employer must provide a
combination dust and acid-gas respirator to employees who are exposed
to gases over the relevant exposure limits.

* * * * *

19. Section 1910.1025 is amended by revising paragraph (f);
revising the second and fourth paragraphs of Section IV to Appendix B;
removing the sixth paragraph of Section IV to Appendix B; and removing
Appendix D, as follows:

1910.1025 Lead.

* * * * *

(f) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(i) Periods necessary to install or implement engineering or work-practice
controls, except that no employer can require an employee to
use a respirator longer than 4.4 hours per day.

(ii) Work operations for which engineering and work-practice
controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below
the permissible exposure limit.

(iii) Periods when an employee requests a respirator.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(ii) If an employee has breathing difficulty during fit testing or
respirator use, the employer must provide the employee with a medical
examination in accordance with paragraph (j)(3)(i)(C) of this section
to determine whether or not the employee can use a respirator while
performing the required duty.

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select the
appropriate respirator or combination of respirators from Table II of
this section.

(ii) The employer must provide a powered air-purifying respirator
instead of the respirator specified in Table II of this section when an
employee chooses to use this type of respirator and such a respirator
provides adequate protection to the employee.

* * * * *

Appendix B to Sec. 1910.1025 -- Employee Standard Summary

* * * * *

IV. Respiratory Protection -- Paragraph (f)

* * * * *

Your employer is required to select respirators from the seven
types listed in Table II of the Respiratory Protection section of
the standard (Sec. 1910.1025(f)). Any respirator chosen must be
approved by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and
Health (NIOSH) under the provisions of 42 CFR part 84. This
respirator selection table will enable your employer to choose a
type of respirator that will give you a proper amount of protection
based on your airborne lead exposure. Your employer may select a
type of respirator that provides greater protection than that
required by the standard; that is, one recommended for a higher
concentration of lead than is present in your workplace. For
example, a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) is much more
protective than a typical negative pressure respirator, and may also
be more comfortable to wear. A PAPR has a filter, cartridge, or
canister to clean the air, and a power source that continuously
blows filtered air into your breathing zone. Your employer might
make a PAPR available to you to ease the burden of having to wear a
respirator for long periods of time. The standard provides that you
can obtain a PAPR upon request.

* * * * *

Your employer must ensure that your respirator facepiece fits
properly. Proper fit of a respirator facepiece is critical to your
protection from airborne lead. Obtaining a proper fit on each
employee may require your employer to make available several
different types of respirator masks. To ensure that your respirator
fits properly and that facepiece leakage is minimal, your employer
must give you either a qualitative or quantitative fit test as
specified in Appendix A of the Respiratory Protection standard
located at 29 CFR 1910.134.

* * * * *

20. Section 1910.1027 is amended by removing and reserving Appendix
C and revising paragraph (g) to read as follows:

1910.1027 Cadmium.

* * * * *

(g) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Maintenance and repair activities, and brief or intermittent
operations, for which employee exposures exceed the PEL and engineering
and work-practice controls are not feasible or are not required.

(iii) Activities in regulated areas specified in paragraph (e) of
this section.

(iv) Work operations for which the employer has implemented all
feasible engineering and work-practice controls and such controls are
not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below the PEL.

(v) Work operations for which an employee is exposed to cadmium at
or above the action level, and the employee requests a respirator.

(vi) Work operations for which an employee is exposed to cadmium
above the PEL and engineering controls are not required by paragraph
(f)(1)(ii) of this section.

(vii) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(ii) No employees must use a respirator if, based on their most
recent medical examination, the examining physician determines that
they will be unable to continue to function normally while using a
respirator. If the physician determines that the employee must be
limited in, or removed from, their current job because of their
inability to use a respirator, the limitation or removal must be in
accordance with paragraphs (l) (11) and (12) of this section.

(iii) If an employee has breathing difficulty during fit testing or
respirator use, the employer must provide the employee with a medical
examination in accordance with paragraph (l)(6)(ii) of this section to
determine if the employee can use a respirator while performing the
required duties.

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select the
appropriate respirator from Table 2 of this section.

(ii) The employer must provide an employee with a powered air-purifying
respirator instead of a negative-pressure respirator when an
employee who is entitled to a respirator chooses to use this type of
respirator and such a respirator provides adequate protection to the
employee.

(g) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Work operations for which the employer establishes that
compliance with either the TWA or STEL through the use of engineering
and work-practice controls is not feasible; for example, some
maintenance and repair activities, vessel cleaning, or other operations
for which engineering and work-practice controls are infeasible because
exposures are intermittent and limited in duration.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient, or are not required under
paragraph (f)(1)(iii) of this section, to reduce employee exposure to
or below the PELs.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii), (d)(3)(iii)(b)(1), and (2)), and (f)
through (m).

(ii) For air-purifying respirators, the employer must replace the
air-purifying element at the expiration of its service life or at the
beginning of each shift in which such elements are used, whichever
comes first.

(iii) If NIOSH approves an air-purifying element with an end-of-service-life
indicator for benzene, such an element may be used until the indicator
shows no further useful life.

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select the
appropriate respirator from Table 1 of this section.

(ii) Any employee who cannot use a negative-pressure respirator
must be allowed to use a respirator with less breathing resistance,
such as a powered air-purifying respirator or supplied-air respirator.

* * * * *

22. Section 1910.1029 is amended by revising paragraph (g) to read
as follows:

1910.1029 Coke oven emissions.

* * * * *

(g) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Compliance with the permissible exposure limit may not be achieved by
the use of respirators except during:

(ii) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activity, for
which engineering and work-practice controls are technologically not
feasible.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to
or below the permissible exposure limit.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. The employer must implement a respiratory
protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b) through (d)
(except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(3) Respirator selection. The employer must select appropriate
respirators or combination of respirators from Table I of this section.

* * * * *

23. Section 1910.1043 is amended by revising paragraph (f) to read
as follows:

1910.1043 Cotton dust.

* * * * *

(f) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who are
required to use respirators by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Maintenance and repair activities for which engineering and
work-practice controls are not feasible.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to
or below the permissible exposure limits.

(iv) Work operations specified under paragraph (g)(1) of this
section.

(v) Periods for which an employee requests a respirator.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(ii) Whenever a physician determines that an employee who works in
an area in which the cotton-dust concentration exceeds the PEL is
unable to use a respirator, including a powered air-purifying
respirator, the employee must be given the opportunity to transfer to
an available position, or to a position that becomes available later,
that has a cotton-dust concentration at or below the PEL. The employer
must ensure that such employees retain their current wage rate or other
benefits as a result of the transfer.

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select the
appropriate respirator from Table I of this section.

(ii) Whenever respirators are required by this section for cotton-dust
concentrations that do not exceed the applicable permissible
exposure limit by a multiple of 100 (100 X), the employer must, when
requested by an employee, provide a powered air-purifying respirator
with a high-efficiency particulate filter instead of the respirator
specified in paragraphs (a), (b), or (c) of Table I of this section.

* * * * *

24. Section 1910.1044 is amended by revising paragraph (h) to read
as follows:

1910.1044 1,2-Dibromo-3-chloropropane.

* * * * *

(h) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who are
required to use respirators by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Maintenance and repair activities for which engineering and
work-practice controls are not feasible.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to
or below the permissible exposure limit.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. The employer must implement a respiratory
protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b) through (d)
(except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(3) Respirator selection. The employer must select the appropriate
respirator from Table 1 of this section.

* * * * *

25. Section 1910.1045 is amended by revising paragraph (h) and the
first paragraph of Section IV to Appendix A to read as follows:

1910.1045 Acrylonitrile.

* * * * *

(h) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities or
reactor cleaning, for which the employer establishes that engineering
and work-practice controls are not feasible.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to
or below the permissible exposure limits.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii), (d)(3)(iii)(b)(1), and (2)), and (f)
through (m).

(ii) If air-purifying respirators (chemical-cartridge or chemical-canister
types) are used:

(A) The air-purifying canister or cartridge must be replaced prior
to the expiration of its service life or at the completion of each
shift, whichever occurs first.

(B) A label must be attached to the cartridge or canister to
indicate the date and time at which it is first installed on the
respirator.

(3) Respirator selection. The employer must select the appropriate
respirator from Table I of this section.

A. Respirators. You may be required to wear a respirator for
nonroutine activities, in emergencies, while your employer is in the
process of reducing acrylonitrile exposures through engineering
controls, and in areas where engineering controls are not feasible.
If respirators are worn, they must have a label issued by the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health under the
provisions of 42 CFR part 84 stating that the respirators have been
approved for use with organic vapors. For effective protection,
respirators must fit your face and head snugly. Respirators must not
be loosened or removed in work situations where their use is
required.

* * * * *

26. Section 1910.1047 is amended by removing table 1 following
paragraph (h)(2) and revising paragraph (g) and the first paragraph of
Section IV to Appendix A to read as follows:

1910.1047 Ethylene oxide.

* * * * *

(g) Respiratory protection and personal protective equipment. (1)
General. For employees who use respirators required by this section,
the employer must provide respirators that comply with the requirements
of this paragraph. Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities and
vessel cleaning, for which engineering and work-practice controls are
not feasible.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to
or below the TWA.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. The employer must implement a respiratory
protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b) through (d)
(except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(3) Respirator selection. The employer must select the appropriate
respirator from Table 1 of this section.

(4) Protective clothing and equipment. When employees could have
eye or skin contact with EtO or EtO solutions, the employer must select
and provide, at no cost to the employee, appropriate protective
clothing or other equipment in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.132 and
1910.133 to protect any area of the employee's body that may come in
contact with the EtO or EtO solution, and must ensure that the employee
wears the protective clothing and equipment provided.

A. Respirators. You may be required to wear a respirator for
nonroutine activities, in emergencies, while your employer is in the
process of reducing EtO exposures through engineering controls, and
in areas where engineering controls are not feasible. As of the
effective date of this standard, only air-supplied, positive-pressure,
full-facepiece respirators are approved for protection
against EtO. If air-purifying respirators are worn in the future,
they must have a label issued by the National Institute for
Occupational Safety and Health under the provisions of 42 CFR part
84 stating that the respirators have been approved for use with
ethylene oxide. For effective protection, respirators must fit your
face and head snugly. Respirators must not be loosened or removed in
work situations where their use is required.

(g) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities or
vessel cleaning, for which the employer establishes that engineering
and work-practice controls are not feasible.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to
or below the PELs.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii), (d)(3)(iii)(b)(1), and (2)), and (f)
through (m).

(ii) If air-purifying chemical-cartridge respirators are used, the
employer must:

(A) Replace the cartridge after three (3) hours of use or at the
end of the workshift, whichever occurs first, unless the cartridge
contains a NIOSH-approved end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) to show
when breakthrough occurs.

(B) Unless the canister contains a NIOSH-approved ESLI to show when
breakthrough occurs, replace canisters used in atmospheres up to 7.5
ppm (10xPEL) every four (4) hours and industrial-sized canisters used
in atmospheres up to 75 ppm (100xPEL) every two (2) hours, or at the
end of the workshift, whichever occurs first.

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select appropriate
respirators from Table 1 in this section.

(ii) The employer must provide a powered air-purifying respirator
adequate to protect against formaldehyde exposure to any employee who
has difficulty using a negative-pressure respirator.
* * * * *

28. Section 1910.1050 is amended by revising paragraph (h) and the
first paragraph of Section III to Appendix A to read as follows:

1910.1050 Methylenedianiline.

* * * * *

(h) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Work operations for which the employer establishes that
engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to
or below the PEL.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. The employer must implement a respiratory
protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b) through (d)
(except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select, and ensure
that employees use, the appropriate respirator from Table 1 in this
section.

(ii) Any employee who cannot use a negative-pressure respirator
must be given the option of using a positive-pressure respirator, or a
supplied-air respirator operated in the continuous-flow or pressure-demand mode.

A. Respirators. Respirators are required for those operations in
which engineering controls or work-practice controls are not
adequate or feasible to reduce exposure to the permissible limit. If
respirators are worn, they must have a label issued by the National
Institute for Occupational Safety and Health under the provisions of
42 CFR part 84 stating that the respirators have been approved for
this purpose, and cartridges and canisters must be replaced in
accordance with the requirements of 29 CFR 1910.134. If you
experience difficulty breathing while wearing a respirator, you can
request a positive-pressure respirator from your employer. You must
be thoroughly trained to use the assigned respirator, and the
training must be provided by your employer.

* * * * *

29. Section 1910.1051 is amended by removing and reserving Appendix
E and revising paragraph (h) to read as follows:

1910.1051 1,3-Butadiene.

* * * * *

(h) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Non-routine work operations that are performed infrequently
and for which employee exposures are limited in duration.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposures
to or below the PELs.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii), (d)(3)(iii)(B)(1), and (2)), and (f)
through (m).

(ii) If air-purifying respirators are used, the employer must
replace the air-purifying filter elements according to the replacement
schedule set for the class of respirators listed in Table 1 of this
section, and at the beginning of each work shift.

(iii) Instead of using the replacement schedule listed in Table 1
of this section, the employer may replace cartridges or canisters at
90% of their expiration service life, provided the employer:

(A) Demonstrates that employees will be adequately protected by
this procedure.

(B) Uses BD breakthrough data for this purpose that have been
derived from tests conducted under worst-case conditions of humidity,
temperature, and air-flow rate through the filter element, and the
employer also describes the data supporting the cartridge-or canister-change
schedule, as well as the basis for using the data in the
employer's respirator program.

(iv) A label must be attached to each filter element to indicate
the date and time it is first installed on the respirator.

(v) If NIOSH approves an end-of-service-life indicator (ESLI) for
an air-purifying filter element, the element may be used until the ESLI
shows no further useful service life or until the element is replaced
at the beginning of the next work shift, whichever occurs first.

(vi) Regardless of the air-purifying element used, if an employee
detects the odor of BD, the employer must replace the air-purifying
element immediately.

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select appropriate
respirators from Table 1 of this section.

(ii) Air-purifying respirators must have filter elements approved
by NIOSH for organic vapors or BD.

(iii) When an employee whose job requires the use of a respirator
cannot use a negative-pressure respirator, the employer must provide
the employee with a respirator that has less breathing resistance than
the negative-pressure respirator, such as a powered air-purifying
respirator or supplied-air respirator, when the employee is able to use
it and if it provides the employee adequate protection.

* * * * *

30. Section 1910.1052 is amended by revising paragraph (g) to read
as follows:

1910.1052 Methylene chloride.

* * * * *

(g) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(i) Periods when an employee's exposure to MC exceeds the 8-hour
TWA, PEL, or STEL (for example, when an employee is using MC in a
regulated area).

(iii) A few work operations, such as some maintenance operations
and repair activities, for which the employer demonstrates that
engineering and work-practice controls are infeasible.

(iv) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or
below the PELs.

(v) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (m) (except (d)(1)(iii)).

(ii) Employers who provide employees with gas masks with organic-vapor
canisters for the purpose of emergency escape must replace the
canisters after any emergency use and before the gas masks are returned
to service.

(3) Respirator selection. The employer must select appropriate
atmosphere-supplying respirators from Table 2 of this section.

(4) Medical evaluation. Before having an employee use a supplied-air
respirator in the negative-pressure mode, or a gas mask with an
organic-vapor canister for emergency escape, the employer must:

(i) Have a physician or other licensed health-care professional
(PLHCP) evaluate the employee's ability to use such respiratory
protection.

(ii) Ensure that the PLHCP provides their findings in a written
opinion to the employee and the employer.

* * * * *

PART 1926 -- [AMENDED]

Subpart D -- [Amended]

31. The authority citation for Subpart D of Part 1926 is revised to
read as follows:

(5) Personal protective equipment. (i) Employers must use only
respirators approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 for protecting
employees from dusts produced during abrasive-blasting operations.

* * * * *

(iii) Properly fitted particulate-filter respirators, commonly
referred to as dust-filter respirators, may be used for short,
intermittent, or occasional dust exposures such as cleanup, dumping of
dust collectors, or unloading shipments of sand at a receiving point
when it is not feasible to control the dust by enclosure, exhaust
ventilation, or other means. The respirators used must be approved by
NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84 for protection against the specific type of
dust encountered.

* * * * *

(6) Air supply and air compressors. Air for abrasive-blasting
respirators must be free of harmful quantities of dusts, mists, or
noxious gases, and must meet the requirements for supplied-air quality
and use specified in 29 CFR 1910.134(i).

* * * * *

(h) * * *
(6) * * *
(iii)(A) When an operator is in a booth downstream of the object
being sprayed, an air-supplied respirator or other type of respirator
approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR Part 84 for the material being sprayed
should be used by the operator.

* * * * *

(i) * * *
(9) * * *
(vi) When, during the emergencies specified in paragraph (i)(11)(v)
of this section, employees must be in areas where concentrations of air
contaminants are greater than the limits set by paragraph (i)(2)(iii)
of this section or oxygen concentrations are less than 19.5 percent,
they must use respirators that reduce their exposure to a level below
these limits or that provide adequate oxygen. Such respirators must
also be provided in marked, quickly-accessible storage compartments
built for this purpose when the possibility exists of accidental
release of hazardous concentrations of air contaminants. Respirators
must be approved by NIOSH under 42 CFR part 84, selected by a competent
industrial hygienist or other technically-qualified source, and used in
accordance with 29 CFR 1926.103.

(i) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Work operations, such as maintenance and repair activities and
spray-application processes, for which engineering and work-practice
controls are not feasible.

(iii) Work operations for which feasible engineering and work-practice
controls are not yet sufficient to reduce employee exposure to
or below the PELs.

(iv) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. The employer must implement a respiratory
protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b) through (d)
(except (d)(1)(iii), and (f) through (m).

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select the
appropriate respirator from Table 1 of this section.

(ii) An employee who cannot use a negative-pressure respirator must
be given the option of using a positive-pressure respirator, or a
supplied-air respirator operated in the continuous-flow or pressure-demand mode.

* * * * *

34. Section 1926.62 is amended by revising paragraph (f); revising
the second and fourth paragraphs of Section IV to Appendix B; removing
the sixth paragraph of Section IV to Appendix B; and removing Appendix
D, as follows:

1926.62 Lead.

* * * * *

(f) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(i) Periods when an employee's exposure to lead exceeds the PEL.

(ii) Work operations for which engineering and work-practice
controls are not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below
the PEL.

(iii) Periods when an employee requests a respirator.

(iv) Periods when respirators are required to provide interim
protection of employees while they perform the
operations specified in paragraph (d)(2) of this section.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(ii) If an employee has breathing difficulty during fit testing or
respirator use, the employer must provide the employee with a medical
examination in accordance with paragraph (j)(3)(i)(B) of this section
to determine whether or not the employee can use a respirator while
performing the required duty.

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select the
appropriate respirator or combination of respirators from Table I of
this section.

(ii) The employer must provide a powered air-purifying respirator
when an employee chooses to use such a respirator and it will provide
adequate protection to the employee.

* * * * *

Appendix B to Sec. 1926.62 -- Employee Standard Summary

* * * * *

IV. Respiratory Protection -- Paragraph (f)

* * * * *

Your employer is required to select respirators from the types
listed in Table I of the Respiratory Protection section of the standard
(Sec. 1926.62 (f)). Any respirator chosen must be approved by the
National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) under the
provisions of 42 CFR part 84. This respirator selection table will
enable your employer to choose a type of respirator that will give you
a proper amount of protection based on your airborne lead exposure.
Your employer may select a type of respirator that provides greater
protection than that required by the standard; that is, one recommended
for a higher concentration of lead than is present in your workplace.
For example, a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) is much more
protective than a typical negative pressure respirator, and may also be
more comfortable to wear. A PAPR has a filter, cartridge, or canister
to clean the air, and a power source that continuously blows filtered
air into your breathing zone. Your employer might make a PAPR available
to you to ease the burden of having to wear a respirator for long
periods of time. The standard provides that you can obtain a PAPR upon
request.

* * * * *

Your employer must ensure that your respirator facepiece fits
properly. Proper fit of a respirator facepiece is critical to your
protection from airborne lead. Obtaining a proper fit on each
employee may require your employer to make available several
different types of respirator masks. To ensure that your respirator
fits properly and that facepiece leakage is minimal, your employer
must give you either a qualitative or quantitative fit test as
specified in Appendix A of the Respiratory Protection standard
located at 29 CFR 1910.134.

* * * * *

Subpart E -- [Amended]

35. The authority citation for Subpart E of Part 1926 is revised to
read as follows:

(g) * * *
(2) Self-rescuers. The employer must provide self-rescuers approved
by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health under 42
CFR part 84. The respirators must be immediately available to all
employees at work stations in underground areas where employees might
be trapped by smoke or gas. The selection, issuance, use, and care of
respirators must be in accordance with 29 CFR 1926.103.

* * * * *

Subpart Z -- [Amended]

39. The authority citation for Subpart Z of Part 1926 is revised to
read as follows:

Section 1926.1102 of 29 CFR not issued under 29 U.S.C. 655 or 29
CFR part 1911; also issued under 5 U.S.C. 553.

40. Section 1926.1101 is amended by removing and reserving Appendix
C and revising paragraph (h) to read as follows:

1926.1101 Asbestos.

* * * * *

(h) Respiratory protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(i) Class I asbestos work.

(ii) Class II asbestos work when ACM is not removed in a
substantially intact state.

(iii) Class II and III asbestos work that is not performed using
wet methods, except for removal of ACM from sloped roofs when a
negative-exposure assessment has been conducted and ACM is removed in
an intact state.

(iv) Class II and III asbestos work for which a negative-exposure
assessment has not been conducted.

(v) Class III asbestos work when TSI or surfacing ACM or PACM is
being disturbed.

(vi) Class IV asbestos work performed within regulated areas where
employees who are performing other work are required to use
respirators.

(vii) Work operations covered by this section for which employees
are exposed above the TWA or excursion limit.

(viii) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(ii) No employee shall be assigned to asbestos work that requires
respirator use if, based on their most recent medical examination, the
examining physician determines that the employee will be unable to
function normally while using a respirator, or that the safety or
health of the employee or other employees will be impaired by the
employee's respirator use. Such employees must be assigned to another
job or given the opportunity to transfer to a different position that
they can perform. If such a transfer position is available, it must be
with the same employer, in the same geographical area, and with the
same seniority, status, rate of pay, and other job benefits the
employee had just prior to such transfer.

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select the
appropriate respirator from Table 1 of this section.

(ii) The employer must provide an employee with a tight-fitting,
powered air-purifying respirator instead of a negative-pressure
respirator from Table 1 when the employee chooses to use this type of
respirator and such a respirator will provide adequate protection to
the employee.

(iii) The employer must provide a half-mask air-purifying
respirator, other than a disposable respirator, that is equipped with
high-efficiency filters when the employee performs:

(A) Class II and III asbestos work and a negative-exposure
assessment has not been conducted by the employer.

(B) Class III asbestos work when TSI or surfacing ACM or PACM is
being disturbed.

(iv) The employer must provide employees with a full-facepiece
supplied-air respirator operated in the pressure-demand mode and
equipped with an auxiliary, positive-pressure self-contained breathing
apparatus when the employees are in a regulated area where Class I work
is being performed and the employer has not conducted a negative-exposure
assessment.

* * * * *

41. Section 1926.1127 is amended by removing and reserving Appendix
C and revising paragraph (g) to read as follows:

1926.1127 Cadmium.

* * * * *

(g) Respirator protection. (1) General. For employees who use
respirators required by this section, the employer must provide
respirators that comply with the requirements of this paragraph.
Respirators must be used during:

(ii) Maintenance and repair activities, and brief or intermittent
work operations, for which employee exposures exceed the PEL and
engineering and work-practice controls are not feasible or are not
required.

(iii) Work operations in the regulated areas specified in paragraph
(e) of this section.

(iv) Work operations for which the employer has implemented all
feasible engineering and work-practice controls, and such controls are
not sufficient to reduce employee exposures to or below the PEL.

(v) Work operations for which an employee, who is exposed to
cadmium at or above the action level, requests a respirator.

(vi) Work operations for which engineering controls are not
required by paragraph (f)(1)(ii) of this section to reduce employee
exposures that exceed the PEL.

(vii) Emergencies.

(2) Respirator program. (i) The employer must implement a
respiratory protection program in accordance with 29 CFR 1910.134 (b)
through (d) (except (d)(1)(iii)), and (f) through (m).

(ii) If an employee exhibits breathing difficulty during fit
testing or respirator use, the employer must provide the employee with
a medical examination in accordance with paragraph (l)(6)(ii) of this
section to determine if the employee can use a respirator while
performing the required duties.

(iii) No employee must use a respirator when, based on their most
recent medical examination, the examining physician determines that the
employee will be unable to continue to function normally while using a
respirator. If the physician determines the employee must be limited
in, or removed from, their current job because of the employee's
inability to use a respirator, the job limitation or removal must be
conducted in accordance with paragraphs (l) (11) and (12) of this
section.

(3) Respirator selection. (i) The employer must select the
appropriate respirator from Table 1 of this section.

(ii) The employer must provide a powered air-purifying respirator
instead of a negative-pressure respirator when an employee entitled to
a respirator chooses to use this type of respirator and such a
respirator will provide adequate protection to the employee.

* * * * *

Note: The following table will not appear in the Code of Federal
Regulations.

Please refer to the "Redesignation Table for Actions on Specific Standards"
in the PDF File]

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